‘We only get one sachet of pure water, watery pap’, Keffi prison inmates attempt jailbreak

Over 50 prisoners, on Thursday morning, attempted to break out of the Keffi minimum security prison, Keffi local government area of Nasarawa state, over poor feeding and lack of facilities.

The situation was brought under control by the prompt intervention of the police and prison officials.

According to The Nation, asides the poor hygienic conditions, the inmates in Keffi prison lack access to proper medical attention which prompted the prisoners to attempt escape when they were only given a sachet of ‘pure water’ and watery pap each morning.

It was also reported that there was an acute shortage of potable water and sewage disposal system.

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It was gathered that the life in Keffi prison is harrowing and the inmates could not bear the hardship government has made provision for their feeding, hence the attempted jail break.

When contacted, the public relations officer of Nasarawa state command of the prison service, Mr. Abene Stephen, said it was a normal agitation in the prison, and that the situation had been brought under control.

Before the arrival of the state comptroller of prisons, Mr. Emmanuel Okoro, prison officials refused to entertain journalists who were present to verify the incident, keeping them for over four hours. The waiting game continued even when the state comptroller visited until the rains dispersed them.

When the Journalists visited the Emir of Keffi, whose palace is close by, Shehu Chindo Yamusa III gave his input on the development. He confirmed that there was an attempted jailbreak and it took the intervention of the Inspector General of Police special technical squad to save the situation.

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