By In the early hours of Tuesday, August 12, sixteen inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nassarawa State. This escape marks the second occurrence in a Nigerian correctional centre, as the first one took place in the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, on May 21, 2025. Umar Abubakar, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, explained in a statement that the inmates overpowered the personnel on duty during the breakout. In this incident, five officers were injured, and two are currently in serious condition and being treated at a government hospital.
Of the sixteen inmates who escaped, seven have been recaptured, with efforts ongoing to apprehend the remaining nine. The statement by the spokesperson also confirmed that Sylvester Nwakuche, the Controller General of Corrections, visited the facility and has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to the escape. The statement noted, “Members of the public are hereby urged to remain calm, vigilant, and to promptly report any suspicious movements or sightings of fleeing inmates to the nearest security formation. While preliminary investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the escape, the Service reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to public safety and the security of all custodial facilities nationwide.”
Second Prison Break in 2025
In May 2025, the Nigerian Correctional Service issued a statement explaining that seven inmates escaped from the custodial centre in Ilesa, Osun State, after the facility’s old perimeter wall collapsed. The breach was said to have been caused by the structural failure of the wall during a storm. It is worth noting that on April 24, 2024, heavy rains also caused the walls of the Suleja Medium Security Prison in Niger State to collapse, leading to the escape of 119 inmates.
