Sixteen inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State, in the early hours of Tuesday following a breach of the facility’s security.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Umar Abubakar. According to the statement, the inmates overpowered personnel on duty and successfully broke out of custody.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to inform the general public of an incident that occurred in the early hours of today, 12th August 2025, at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State,” the statement read.
“Some inmates breached the facility’s security and attacked personnel on duty, enabling 16 inmates to escape custody.
“In the course of containing the situation, five custodial personnel sustained varying degrees of injury—two of whom are in serious condition and currently receiving urgent medical attention at a government health facility. Seven of the fleeing inmates have since been recaptured and are back in custody.”
Efforts are ongoing to track and rearrest the remaining escapees, the Service said.
The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, visited the facility shortly after the incident. He has ordered a full-scale investigation and vowed disciplinary action against any staff member found complicit.
“No staff member will be spared if found culpable,” Nwakuche said, while directing a coordinated manhunt in collaboration with other security agencies.
He also urged members of the public to remain calm, stay vigilant, and report any suspicious movement or sightings of escapees to the nearest security agency.
This incident adds to a series of prison breaks that have plagued Nigeria’s correctional system in recent years. In July 2022, over 600 inmates—including suspected members of Boko Haram and Islamic State—escaped after a terrorist attack on Kuje prison near Abuja. In April 2021, more than 1,800 inmates fled a facility in Imo State after it was stormed by gunmen. That same year, over 800 prisoners escaped from a custodial centre in Oyo State. In 2024, heavy rainfall led to structural collapse and the escape of nearly 120 inmates from Suleja prison, near Abuja.
