No fewer than 12 inmates have escaped following an early morning jailbreak at the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, Kogi State.

Kogi State Information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, described the incident as “unfortunate” and assured citizens that the government, working with security agencies, would take steps to prevent a recurrence.

According to him, law enforcement agencies have re-arrested one of the escapees.

“The theory that the inmates escaped through the tower without causing any structural damage raises serious concerns.

“This calls for a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the escape, arrest the fleeing inmates, and identify possible saboteurs within the system,” Fanwo said.

The commissioner said Governor Usman Ododo has asked security agencies to ensure that such security breaches do not happen again.

“We call on the public to report any suspicious individuals in their communities. Anyone found harbouring an escaped inmate will be held accountable,” he warned.

“There is no cause for panic. We encourage citizens to go about their daily activities as normal, knowing that the security of lives and property remains our top priority,” Fanwo added.

Glo Foundation, a CSR organization set up by telecommunications giant, Globacom, has liaised with the Lagos Food Bank  by distributing boxes of food items to the Ilaje community of Bariga,  Lagos.

Glo Foundation disclosed last Saturday  when several thousands of residents of Ilaje community in Bariga, Lagos State, came out to receive food items and other valuables that the initiative was aimed at ameliorating food insecurity and reducing the suffering of the underprivileged in the  society.

Each of the food packs contained Rice, Garri, Spaghetti, noodles, tomato paste, tooth brushes, sardines, salt, vegetable oil, and seasoning cubes.

The distribution of the big boxes of food items, was carried out in collaboration with the Lagos Food Bank, at the Love Lagos Jetty in Bariga. The rare initiative elicited joy from beneficiaries  marking  the commencement of a nationwide food initiative by the Foundation to support hundreds of thousands of Nigerians in several states of the Federation.

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and appreciation as the  beneficiaries sang and danced in celebration of Glo Foundation’s gesture.

In her remarks at the event, the Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Globacom, Mrs. Adejumobi Mofe-Damijo  harped on  the Foundation’s  determination to bring joy to families through the food drive which, she said, would be extended to other parts of the country.

According to her,  the Foundation would undertake  series of interventions that would bear positive impact on  different sectors of the society in tandem with its vision of empowerment and care for the less-privileged.

Mofe-Damijo also gave kudos to  the staff of Globacom for embracing the  culture of giving and lending support to  the project consultants, Lagos Food Bank Initiative, to achieve the   success that the event recorded.

The elated  beneficiaries thanked Glo Foundation for the laudable intervention with the food and various items in the packs given to them.  Abiola Oladunjoye, an unemployed female member  of the community, disclosed that the food pack from the Foundation was divine provision for her household. “I really appreciate. May the Almighty continue to protect the company and may it continue to grow. I pray for more success for you all and the company itself for remembering us here.”.

In the same vein,  Amarachi Peter, a cook, was profuse  in praise of Glo Foundation for bringing the train of its Food Drive to the community. She noted that the pack for her was a huge relief at a time like this when the cost of living has become unbearable.

Similarly, Eunice Kehinde, a hairdresser, kept praying for Glo Foundation and staff of Globacom who were on hand to support the distribution. “It is not easy for my family to feed these days. With this food pack from Glo, we are sure of what to eat for some weeks”, she noted, and commended Glo Foundation for considering the community in the food drive initiative.

The Executive Director of Lagos Food Bank Initiative, Michael Sunbola, appreciated Globacom for its investment in the food drive while inviting   other corporate organizations to be part of the charity venture.

Said he, “We are happy to collaborate with Globacom on this. This is the pilot phase and other parts of the country will also benefit from the drive aimed at touching the lives of the real underprivileged in the society”, he said.

The Glo Foundation train is billed to visit  another Lagos community next Saturday to replicate the same gesture.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh Moshood, has paid a courtesy visit to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of Zone 2 Command comprising Lagos and Ogun States AIG Adegoke M. Fayoade at the Zonal Command Headquarters, Onikan Lagos, according to a statement by the Zonal Public Relations Officer, CSP Ayuba Ummah.

The statement noted that the visit was aimed at seeking support and professional guidance from the AIG.

During the meeting, the Lagos Police Boss shared his security strategies with the AIG as he solicits support and collaboration in the fight against crime and criminality to ensure a safer Lagos.

The AIG in his response commended the newly posted Commissioner of Police and his Management Team for their efforts in upholding the peace, stability and security in Lagos State, stating the positive feedbacks he got from members of the public on how safe and peaceful Lagos is since the CP assumed office.

He also pledges support and collaboration in the fight to bring crime and criminality in Lagos and Ogun States to the barest minimum.

The AIG in his final remarks charged the CP to pay attention to conduct of personnel and ensure they are professional, rule of law compliant and police in line with global best practices in order not to put the Force in bad light.