The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said 16 inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Abubakar Umar, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Umar said that some inmates breached the facility’s security, attacked personnel on duty and compromised the situation, enabling the escape.

He said that in the process of containing the incident, five officers of the custodial centre sustained varying degrees of injuries.

He added that two personnel were in serious condition and receiving urgent medical attention at a government health facility.

He stated, “Seven of the fleeing inmates have so far been recaptured and returned to custody.’’

Mr Umar added that the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, visited the facility and ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape.

He quoted Mr Nwakuche as saying that no staff would be spared if found culpable, noting that an immediate search operation had been launched in collaboration with sister security agencies to recapture the remaining inmates.

He urged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements or sighting of the fleeing inmates to the nearest security formation.

He added that preliminary investigations were ongoing and reassured the public of the service’s unwavering commitment to public safety and the security of all custodial facilities nationwide.

(NAN)