JUST IN: 14 Inmates Escape from Keffi Prison in Daring Jailbreak

Nasarawa State Authorities have launched a manhunt after 14 inmates escaped from the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre in the early hours of Monday, August 11, 2025.

The daring jailbreak has sparked fears among residents and raised questions about security in Nigeria’s prison facilities.

Eyewitnesses said the incident happened around 3:00 a.m., when most people were still asleep.

Loud noises and shouting reportedly came from inside the prison compound, followed by frantic movements as inmates scaled the perimeter fence.

Nasarawa State Controller of Corrections, Haruna Isa, confirmed the escape while addressing journalists later in the day.

He revealed that the fugitives exploited a weak section of the prison wall to make their way out.

“They broke through a section of the facility and fled before our officers could contain the situation,” Isa explained.

He added that a joint operation involving correctional officers, the police, and other security agencies had been launched to track down the escapees.

Security checkpoints have been mounted across Keffi and surrounding areas.

Patrol teams are combing nearby communities in the hope of recapturing the inmates.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to the nearest security post.

Many locals expressed concern over the incident, pointing out that it was not the first time a jailbreak had occurred in the country.

“It’s frightening,” said Musa Ibrahim, a trader whose shop is a few metres from the prison.

“We are worried about our safety because we don’t know the kind of criminals that have escaped.”

Prison authorities declined to provide the names or detailed profiles of the escapees but confirmed that some were serving sentences for violent crimes.

This revelation has heightened anxiety among residents, particularly those living close to the facility.

The Nigerian Correctional Service said it would intensify security measures to prevent similar incidents.

Isa assured the public that the service would not rest until all the fugitives are recaptured.

Meanwhile, human rights advocates have renewed calls for prison reforms.

They argue that overcrowding, poor infrastructure, and inadequate funding make Nigerian prisons vulnerable to such breakouts.

As of Monday evening, none of the 14 escapees had been found. Security officials remain on high alert, and the manhunt continues.

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