Sixteen inmates have escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State, after launching attacks on personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in the facility.

Five correctional officers sustained varying degrees of injuries during the incident.

Confirming the development in a statement on Tuesday, the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Umar Abubakar, said the attacks occurred in the early hours of the day.

“Some inmates breached the security of the facility and attacked personnel on duty to compromise the situation,” Abubakar stated.

He added: “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.”

According to him, seven of the fleeing inmates have been recaptured and returned to 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,” Abubakar, a Deputy Controller of Corrections, added.

The Service’s spokesperson said preliminary investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the escape, assuring the public of its commitment to public safety and the security of all custodial facilities nationwide.