Five officers injured as 16 inmates escape from Nasarawa prison

Sixteen inmates have escaped from the medium-security custodial centre in Keffi, Nasarawa state.

A statement by Abubakar Umar, spokesperson of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), said some inmates attacked and injured the officers on duty in the early hours of Tuesday during the jailbreak.

Umar added that two injured officers are currently in the hospital receiving treatment, while seven of the escapees have been recaptured and returned to custody.

“In the course of containing the situation, five (5) personnel of the custodial centre sustained varying degrees of injury, with two currently serious and receiving urgent medical attention at a government health facility,” the statement reads.

“Seven (7) of the fleeing inmates have been recaptured and are now in custody.

“The controller-general of corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has visited the facility and has ordered a thorough investigation into the escape. He said no staff will be spared if found culpable.

“Furthermore, he has directed an immediate search to recapture the fleeing inmates in collaboration with sister security agencies.

“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.”