–Security Forces Launch Hunt for Escapees, Some Arrests Made
By Konah Rufus
Panic and uncertainty gripped parts of Kakata on Sunday after more than 100 inmates reportedly escaped from the Kakata Central Prison in what is shaping up to be one of Liberia’s largest prison breaks in recent years.
The group of escaping inmates include individuals who are in pre-trial detention and those in post sentence prison. Kakata Central Prison officials say some of the escapees are harden criminals like drug dealers, murder suspects and convicts, while others were individuals detained at the facility for other crimes and misdemeanors.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed the jailbreak in a statement, revealing that several inmates fled the correctional facility following an alleged breach of the prison compound. The Ministry said the Joint Security of Liberia has since launched an intensive search and recapture operation to track down the escapees.
As authorities scramble to regain control of the situation, the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation is conducting an urgent review of prison records to establish the exact number of inmates who escaped and to verify their identities. Officials say the names and details of the escapees will be released once the verification process is completed.
Eyewitness accounts paint a dramatic picture of the incident. Princess George, a resident of Kakata, said she witnessed Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) personnel chasing a large group of men believed to be prisoners as they fled the area.
According to George, the inmates allegedly damaged part of the prison facility before escaping. She estimated that more than 100 male prisoners poured out of the compound, prompting a swift response from security forces.
“I saw the soldiers running after them,” George recounted. “There were many of them, and it appeared they had broken out of the prison.”
The reported mass escape has heightened fears among residents, with concerns growing over the potential security threat posed by the fugitives. Community members are urging authorities to act swiftly to prevent any danger to the public and restore confidence in the country’s correctional system.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice has called on citizens to remain vigilant and immediately report any information that could assist security agencies in locating the escapees. Authorities have also warned the public against attempting to arrest or shelter any of the inmates.
As security forces intensify their manhunt across Margibi County and neighboring areas, Liberians are awaiting answers about how such a large-scale escape occurred and what measures will be taken to prevent a similar incident in the future.
The jailbreak is expected to trigger renewed scrutiny of prison security and management across the country as authorities work to bring the situation under control.
