Nine Inmates Still At Large After Attacking Warders in Keffi Prison Break

Sixteen inmates have escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State, after attacking correctional officers in the early hours of Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

According to a statement from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the incident began when the inmates launched a violent assault on warders stationed within the facility, breaching security barriers in the process. The attack left five officers injured, two of whom sustained serious wounds and required immediate medical attention.

Authorities confirmed that the escape occurred during routine early-morning duties. The inmates reportedly took advantage of a lapse in security during the scuffle to break through the facility’s perimeter. By midday, the Nigerian Correctional Service had mobilized an emergency response team and alerted other security agencies to track down the fugitives.

Speaking during an inspection of the Keffi facility later that day, the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, announced that seven of the escapees had already been recaptured and returned to custody. “We are working closely with the police, Department of State Services, and other partners to ensure that the remaining escapees are apprehended without delay,” Nwakuche stated. He also warned that any officer found complicit in the incident would face disciplinary and legal consequences.

The Controller General urged residents of Nasarawa and neighboring states to remain vigilant, stressing that the escapees might attempt to blend into nearby communities. “Members of the public should report any suspicious movements to the nearest police station or correctional service office,” he advised. While investigating the Keffi incident, the NCoS has vowed to strengthen security protocols at correctional facilities nationwide to prevent similar occurrences.