By Sulaiman Jalloh
The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice, on Monday, September 9th, 2024, announced a prison break that occurred over the weekend at one of the country’s county central prisons [Kakata Central Prison] Margibi county that led to the escape of about forty-seven (47) inmates.
According to a release signed by the ministry’s press and public affairs department, initial investigations suggest that some inmates were able to escape the prison facility due to a breach in the prison’s security system, noting the Ministry of Justice is working closely with the Liberia National Police and the prison authorities to determine the exact cause of the breach and take appropriate action to prevent such incidents in the future.
Although the cause of the prison break is yet to be known, the Ministry of Justice expressed concern about the incident and promised to institute full investigation into the matter while promising to follow the rule of law, adding that more security officers from the Liberia National Police have been deployed to assist in the search and recapture of the escaped inmates, while assuring the public that all efforts are being made to ensure the safety and security of the citizens and to bring the escaped inmates to justice hence members of the public are urged to remain calm and to report any information that may lead to the recapture of the escaped inmates.
The Ministry of Justice reminded the public that ‘harboring or aiding escaped inmates is a criminal offense and anyone found guilty will face the full force of the law’ and called on the escaped inmates to surrender themselves to the nearest police station or to the prison authorities to avoid facing additional charges.
The Ministry furthered that; it will not condone any lawlessness while promising that justice is served. “We urge the public to continue to support the Government’s efforts in maintaining law and order in our society” the release underscored, adding
“The Ministry of Justice will provide further updates as the search for the escaped inmates continues. We thank the public for their continued support and cooperation in ensuring the safety and security of our nation,” the Ministry noted.
