The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government would place a bounty for useful information that can lead to the re-arrest of escapees from two correctional facilities in the state.
The governor also said his administration is considering pardon for those who stayed back and refused to participate in the jail break.
Obaseki disclosed this on Saturday when he received the 11-man committee on the re-arrest of the escapee prisoners led by Deputy Controller Corrections (DCC) Usifo Joseph, who were in his office to brief him on the extent of the work done.
He appealed to the committee to ensure that they put in their best and ensure that all escapee prisoners from the correctional facilities are re-arrested so as to ensure that the society is safe for residents during the festive period.
He explained that money will be made available as incentives for the public to volunteer credible and vital information that will lead to the re-arrest of the escapee inmates.
Obaseki said a website will soon be launched with detailed information on the identities of the escapees with their pictures displayed.
“We would like to have the list of the most dangerous ones among them. I would like to strengthen the effectiveness of the strike force of the committee,” he ssaid.
While calling on landlords and landladies to cooperate with the committee and the Edo State Government by providing valuable information that will lead to the re-arrest of the escapee prisoners, he warned that any one harbouring any of the inmates will be immediately prosecuted.
Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, DCC Joseph said 85 out of the 1,829 inmates escaped from Benin correctional facilities have been re-arrested from different parts of the country.
