Panic As 14 Inmates Escape From Keffi Prison In Nasarawa

Fourteen inmates have reportedly escaped from the Keffi Correctional Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Naija News reports that the incident comes nearly six years after a similar disturbance at the facility.

On August 15, 2019, there were reports that no fewer than 50 inmates had attempted a mass jailbreak over alleged inadequate food and poor medical care, which they claimed were affecting their health.

A prison source who confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters said, “There has been a jailbreak in Keffi Prison and 14 prisoners escaped.” 

Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar, in a statement, disclosed that the inmates reportedly overpowered personnel on duty during the breakout.

Abubakar said five officers were injured in the incident, with two currently in serious condition and receiving treatment at a government hospital.

He added that seven of the escaped inmates have since been recaptured, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the remaining nine.

The statement reads, “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.”