16 Inmates Escape from Nasarawa Prison, Seven Recaptured as Manhunt Intensifies

Sixteen inmates broke free from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State, in the early hours of Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

According to a statement by the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, the escape occurred after the inmates overpowered prison personnel and breached the facility’s security.

“Some inmates breached security, attacked officers on duty, and forced their way out, leading to the escape of 16 prisoners,” the statement read.

During the incident, five correctional officers sustained injuries, with two in serious condition and receiving urgent medical care.

Authorities have since recaptured seven of the fleeing inmates, while efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining nine.

The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, visited the facility and ordered a full-scale investigation, warning that any staff found negligent would face disciplinary action.

“The Controller-General has directed an immediate search operation in collaboration with other security agencies to apprehend the remaining escapees,” the statement added.

“The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons to security agencies.”

This incident follows previous jailbreaks in Nigeria, including last year’s escape of nearly 120 inmates after heavy rainfall damaged the Suleja prison. In 2022, over 600 prisoners, including suspected terrorists, fled during an attack on Kuje prison, while in 2021, gunmen stormed an Imo State facility, freeing more than 1,800 inmates. Another 800 escaped from an Oyo State prison that same year.

Authorities are intensifying efforts to prevent further security lapses in correctional facilities nationwide.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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