The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has announced the escape of 16 inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi (New), following a security breach in the early hours of Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
In a statement signed and issued by Umar Abubakar, Public Relations Officer of the Service, the incident occurred when some inmates attacked personnel on duty, enabling the jailbreak.
In the process of containing the situation, five personnel sustained varying degrees of injury, with two reported to be in serious condition and currently receiving urgent medical care at a government health facility.
He stated that Seven of the fleeing inmates have since been recaptured and returned to custody. Efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining escapees.
The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has visited the facility and ordered a thorough investigation into the escape.
He warned that no officer found culpable in the incident would be spared. Nwakuche also directed an immediate manhunt in collaboration with sister security agencies to apprehend the remaining fugitives.
The NCoS has appealed to members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and to promptly report any suspicious movements or sightings of the escapees to the nearest security formation.
While preliminary investigations are underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak, the Service reassured Nigerians of its “unwavering commitment to public safety and the security of all custodial facilities nationwide.”
This is coming five months after the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered an urgent investigation into the prison break at the Koton Karfe Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kogi State, which led to the escape of twelve inmates and the killing of a correctional officer.
