Sixteen inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, on Tuesday attacked personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and escaped the facility.
Abubakar Umar, the service’s spokesman, acknowledged in a statement that the incident occurred in the early hours of the day.
He said, “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.”
Meanwhile, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, the Controller General of Corrections, has visited the jail and ordered a full investigation into the escape.
Nwakuche, who arrived at the scene right away, stated that if any staff members are proven guilty, they will face the consequences.
Furthermore, he has ordered an immediate search to apprehend the escaping detainees in cooperation with sister security services.
“Members of the public are hereby urged to remain calm and 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,” the statement added.
