Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that 16 inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, (New), Nasarawa State, in the early hours of Tuesday.
In a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar, the inmates reportedly overpowered personnel on duty during the breakout.
Abubakar added that the inmates injured five officers of the prison service, noting that two are currently in serious condition and receiving treatment at a government hospital.
He disclosed that seven of the escaped inmates have since been recaptured, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the remaining nine.
“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.
“Some inmates breached the security of the facility and attacked personnel on duty to compromise the situation, enabling 16 inmates to escape custody.
“In the course of containing the situation, five personnel of the Custodial Centre sustained varying degrees of injury, with two currently serious and receiving urgent medical attention at a government health facility.
“Seven of the fleeing inmates have been recaptured and are now in custody,” Abubakar stated.
The statement also confirmed that the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, visited the facility following the incident and has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape.
Nwakuche stated that any staff found complicit in the escape would face disciplinary action.
