16 Inmates Escape in Keffi Jail Break, 7 Recaptured Amid Ongoing Manhunt

The Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State, was thrown into chaos in the early hours of Tuesday when 16 inmates escaped in a daring jailbreak, leaving five prison officers injured, two critically. 

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that seven of the escapees have been recaptured, while a manhunt is underway for the remaining nine fugitives.

The jailbreak occurred when a group of inmates breached the facility’s security, overpowering personnel on duty in a violent confrontation. 

According to the NCoS, the attackers compromised the prison’s defenses, enabling the escape. 

The incident left five officers wounded, with two receiving treatment at a government hospital for life-threatening injuries. 

Details of the breach remain under investigation, but early reports suggest the inmates exploited vulnerabilities in the facility’s security infrastructure.

Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, visited the Keffi facility shortly after the incident and ordered a comprehensive investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the escape. 

“No staff found complicit will be spared,” Nwakuche warned, emphasizing accountability. 

He also directed an immediate manhunt in collaboration with other security agencies, including the police and military, to apprehend the remaining escapees. 

The public has been urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest security formation.

The NCoS has reassured Nigerians of its commitment to public safety and the security of custodial facilities nationwide. 

However, the escape has raised fresh concerns about the state of Nigeria’s prison system, with this incident marking the latest in a series of jailbreaks. 

Over the past five years, no fewer than 6,675 inmates, including high-profile Boko Haram terrorists and murderers, have escaped in 13 separate jailbreaks across the country, according to data from Punch Newspapers.

This is not the first time the Keffi facility has faced such a crisis. In August 2019, reports surfaced of a failed mass breakout attempt by over 50 inmates, driven by grievances over inadequate food and poor medical care. 

While the NCoS refuted claims of an actual escape at the time, attributing the unrest to a dispute over cigarette bans, the recurring incidents highlight ongoing challenges in prison management and security.

The Keffi jailbreak comes amid a wave of similar incidents, including a recent escape of 12 inmates from the Koton Karfe Medium Security Prison in Kogi State on March 24, 2025, where five were recaptured, and a flood-related breakout in Maiduguri, Borno State, where 281 prisoners, including Boko Haram commanders, remain at large. 

The NCoS has promised to strengthen security protocols and conduct a nationwide audit of prison facilities to prevent future breaches. 

Meanwhile, the identities of the escaped inmates and their charges have not been disclosed, heightening public anxiety about the potential threat they pose. 

 The Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State, was thrown into chaos in the early hours of Tuesday when 16 inmates escaped in a daring jailbreak, leaving five prison officers injured, two critically. The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that seven of the escapees have been recaptured, while a manhunt is underway for the remaining nine fugitives.The jailbreak occurred when a group of inmates breached the facility’s security, overpowering personnel on duty in a violent confrontation. According to the NCoS, the attackers compromised the prison’s defenses, enabling the escape. The incident left five officers wounded, with two receiving treatment at a government hospital for life-threatening injuries. Details of the breach remain under investigation, but early reports suggest the inmates exploited vulnerabilities in the facility’s security infrastructure.Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, visited the Keffi facility shortly after the incident and ordered a comprehensive investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the escape. “No staff found complicit will be spared,” Nwakuche warned, emphasizing accountability. He also directed an immediate manhunt in collaboration with other security agencies, including the police and military, to apprehend the remaining escapees. The public has been urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest security formation.The NCoS has reassured Nigerians of its commitment to public safety and the security of custodial facilities nationwide. However, the escape has raised fresh concerns about the state of Nigeria’s prison system, with this incident marking the latest in a series of jailbreaks. Over the past five years, no fewer than 6,675 inmates, including high-profile Boko Haram terrorists and murderers, have escaped in 13 separate jailbreaks across the country, according to data from Punch Newspapers.This is not the first time the Keffi facility has faced such a crisis. In August 2019, reports surfaced of a failed mass breakout attempt by over 50 inmates, driven by grievances over inadequate food and poor medical care. While the NCoS refuted claims of an actual escape at the time, attributing the unrest to a dispute over cigarette bans, the recurring incidents highlight ongoing challenges in prison management and security.The Keffi jailbreak comes amid a wave of similar incidents, including a recent escape of 12 inmates from the Koton Karfe Medium Security Prison in Kogi State on March 24, 2025, where five were recaptured, and a flood-related breakout in Maiduguri, Borno State, where 281 prisoners, including Boko Haram commanders, remain at large. The NCoS has promised to strengthen security protocols and conduct a nationwide audit of prison facilities to prevent future breaches. Meanwhile, the identities of the escaped inmates and their charges have not been disclosed, heightening public anxiety about the potential threat they pose.