Sixteen Inmates Escape from Keffi Prison After Attack on Personnel

By Babatunji Wusu

• 16 inmates escape Medium Security Prison, Keffi, after early morning breach.
• 5 correctional officers injured, 2 in serious condition.
• 7 escapees recaptured as CG orders full investigation and manhunt.

Sixteen inmates at the Medium Security Prison, Keffi (New), in Nasarawa State, escaped custody yesterday after attacking personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and breaching the facility’s security.

Spokesman of the service, Abubakar Umar, said the incident occurred in the early hours when inmates overpowered officers on duty in a bid to compromise the situation.

“In the course of containing the situation, five personnel of the prison sustained injuries, 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,” he stated.

Comptroller General of NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, visited the facility and ordered a thorough investigation, warning that no staff would be spared if found culpable. He also directed an immediate search operation in collaboration with other security agencies to track down the remaining escapees.

The service urged the public to remain calm, be vigilant, and report any suspicious movements or sightings of fleeing inmates to the nearest security post, assuring that all necessary measures were being taken to maintain safety and secure custodial facilities nationwide.