Daniel Otera
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has raised serious concerns about severe overcrowding at the Keffi Medium Security Correctional Centre following a jailbreak that saw 16 inmates escape from the facility in the early hours of Tuesday.
Security operatives have since recaptured seven of the 16 inmates who escaped, whilst a manhunt continues for the remaining nine fugitives.
Governor Sule made these observations during an inspection visit to the facility on Wednesday, accompanied by senior government officials. The visit came just 24 hours after the dramatic escape, which left five correctional officers injured when inmates attacked personnel on duty.
Speaking to journalists after touring the facility, the governor highlighted the challenging conditions facing the centre.
“From what we see, there are jail breaks across the country. But for us to experience that, I wanted to know why it happened. Was it because of the inmates’ welfare or the type of building they are being kept?” Sule said during his inspection.
The governor’s investigation revealed a troubling pattern: most inmates at the Keffi facility are awaiting trial for cases being heard in Federal Capital Territory courts rather than local Nasarawa State courts. This jurisdictional challenge has created a bottleneck that contributes significantly to the overcrowding crisis.
“I came to realise firstly, that the majority of the inmates here are those awaiting trial at the courts in the FCT. They are not awaiting trial here in our courts in Nasarawa State,” Governor Sule explained to newsmen.
This finding aligns with national statistics indicating a systemic issue within Nigeria’s criminal justice system. More than 70% of over 50,000 inmates across the country are awaiting trial. This statistic reflects a broader trend in the country’s prison system, where research reveals that over 60% of prison admissions are individuals either awaiting trial or being remanded in custody.
These figures underscore a significant challenge within Nigeria’s criminal justice framework, where pretrial detention is not only common but also widespread, contributing to overcrowding and extended periods of incarceration without trial. This situation highlights the need for urgent reform in the justice system to address inefficiencies and ensure timely trials for detainees.
Responding to the dire conditions he witnessed, Governor Sule announced immediate interventions to improve inmates’ welfare. The governor noted that many inmates were “sitting on bare floor” and subsequently directed that 500 mattresses be supplied by the state government to improve living conditions.
Additionally, the governor announced a donation of one million naira for the upkeep of inmates at the facility, demonstrating the state government’s commitment to addressing welfare concerns that may contribute to unrest.
Governor Sule outlined plans for enhanced cooperation with Federal Capital Territory authorities to address the root cause of overcrowding.
“Through our chief judge, we will get across to the chief judge in the FCT. I understand that the Attorney General of the Federation would also need to be approached in order to see how we can resolve this,” he stated.
This proposed collaboration represents a pragmatic approach to addressing the jurisdictional challenges that have led to the current crisis at Keffi, where inmates face prolonged detention whilst awaiting trial in distant courts.
The governor emphasised that whilst security improvements remain necessary, addressing underlying grievances among inmates represents a more sustainable approach to preventing future incidents.
“We must continue to work on improved security, but I don’t think that it is the absence of security that caused what happened here. It is some of these grudges and complaints that may have caused what happened,” Sule observed.
This assessment reflects a broader understanding that factors identified as causing overcrowding include delay in the judicial process, which creates frustration among detained individuals.
The recent jailbreak at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State, highlights the ongoing security challenges facing Nigeria’s correctional facilities. On Monday, 16 inmates escaped from the facility, adding to a troubling pattern of jailbreaks that have plagued the country in recent years. This incident underscores the vulnerability of Nigeria’s correctional system, where breaches of security are becoming disturbingly frequent.
Data from the Nigerian Correctional Service reveals a critical issue contributing to these breaches: overcrowding. Current facilities hold 37% more inmates than their designed capacity, creating conditions that jeopardize both security and the dignity of those detained. The overcrowding exacerbates the already strained resources of the correctional centers, making it difficult to manage inmates effectively and ensure safety.
This combination of security breaches and overcrowding calls for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s correctional system. Without addressing these systemic challenges, the country will continue to face growing risks to both public safety and the well-being of inmates.
The Nigerian Correctional Service, through Service Public Relations Officer Abubakar Umar, confirmed the incident and ongoing recovery efforts. Officials report that manhunt operations continue for the nine inmates who remain at large following the Tuesday morning escape.
Governor Sule commended security personnel for their swift response in recapturing seven of the escapees and urged citizens throughout the state to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons to security agencies.
The governor characterised his visit as “a fact finding mission with a view to understanding the reasons behind the Tuesday early morning incident,” emphasising his administration’s commitment to addressing systemic issues that contribute to such security breaches.