NCoS Publishes Names of Escapees From Keffi, Ilesa Prisons

NCoS Publishes Names of Escapees From Keffi, Ilesa Prisons
Over 4,000 inmates have escaped nationwide since 2020 amid weak facilities.
Security agencies are trailing fugitives as jailbreaks remain a recurring issue

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has published the names of inmates who escaped from two custodial centres in Nasarawa and Osun states, as jailbreaks continue to raise concerns over the state of Nigeria’s correctional facilities.

EDITOR’S PICKS

EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to the official list released on its website, the escapees from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi include Mohammed Mohammed, 24, from Kaduna; Yusuf Hassan, 21, from Adamawa; Shehu Abubakar, 20, from Kaduna; and Abubakar Jibrin, 18, from Plateau, all detained for armed robbery. Others are Abubakar Musa, 30, from Kaduna, held for stealing; Bilyaminu Usman, 20, from Bauchi, charged with conspiracy and extortion; Yusuf Abubakar, 18, from Jigawa, accused of stealing; Adamu Anas, 19, from Gombe, facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and armed robbery; and Danlami Baka, 27, from Bauchi, held for theft.

At the Ilesa Custodial Centre in Osun State, fugitives include Eze Nweze (armed robbery), Tobi Akin (illegal possession of firearms and theft), Matthew Ogunjimi (unlawful possession of weapons and armed robbery), John Michael, Ninalowo Yusuf and Olalekan Ajofoyinbo, who face charges ranging from armed robbery to breaking and stealing.

The service confirmed that joint security operations are underway to track down the escapees. “The service and other security agencies are on their trail and are expected to be captured soon,” the statement read.

The Ilesa jailbreak occurred on May 20, 2025, after a heavy downpour led to the collapse of the prison’s perimeter wall. Seven inmates escaped, with one recaptured, while authorities placed a ₦5 million bounty on information leading to the arrest of the others.

In Keffi, 16 inmates escaped on August 12, 2025, after overpowering correctional officers on duty, leaving five personnel injured, including two critically. Seven of the escapees have since been recaptured.

Reacting to the incidents, the Controller-General of NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, expressed disappointment over what he described as the “lackadaisical attitude” of some officers. He warned that negligence and weak discipline among personnel have played a role in repeated breaches of custodial centres.

Between 2020 and 2025, Nigeria has witnessed over 4,000 inmate escapes, driven by infrastructure decay, poor funding, inadequate training of officers, and outdated security systems. Notable incidents include the 2021 attack on Owerri Custodial Centre, where 1,844 inmates fled after an armed raid, and the July 2022 attack on Kuje prison in Abuja, which freed hundreds of inmates, including terrorism suspects.

FURTHER READING