A Nigerian drug dealer, Tony Obina, has been recaptured after escaping from the Kakata Central Prison in Margibi County, Liberia. Obina was among inmates who fled the correctional facility on Sunday, September 20, 2026, following a jailbreak confirmed by Liberia's Ministry of Justice. The ministry reported that a number of inmates had escaped and that the Joint Security of Liberia had launched an operation to locate and recapture them.
The Liberia Ministry of Justice confirmed the jailbreak in a statement issued on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The ministry said a number of inmates had escaped from the Kakata Central Prison and that security personnel were actively searching for the escapees. The Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation was reviewing prison records to establish the exact number and identities of those who fled.
A video shared by West Trybe News Media showed Obina and another man being escorted back to the prison after they were reportedly found by local residents. In the video, Obina was seen wearing only a pair of blue boxers as he was taken back to the correctional facility. Obina had recently been convicted by a 12-member jury of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Margibi County in a major drug-trafficking case.
Obina was convicted alongside two officers of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Joe Logan and Lovette Flowers. The case reportedly involved drugs valued at about US$181,008 and more than L$63.2 million. The ministry urged residents to remain vigilant and provide information about the whereabouts of escaped inmates to the nearest police station or other security agencies.
The ministry, however, warned members of the public against attempting to apprehend or harbour any of the escapees themselves. The Joint Security of Liberia would provide further updates as efforts to recapture the remaining escapees continued. Reports said Obina and other escapees were apprehended by community members and security authorities while allegedly attempting to flee following the prison break.
The recapture of Obina comes as the Liberian Ministry of Justice continues to work to restore order and ensure public safety. The ministry's efforts to recapture the escapees have been ongoing since the jailbreak on Sunday. The incident has raised concerns about the security of correctional facilities in Liberia and the need for increased vigilance.
The Liberian Ministry of Justice has assured the public that it is working to verify the identities of the escapees and provide updates on the ongoing efforts to recapture them. The ministry's statement has helped to inform the public about the situation and urged residents to cooperate with security authorities to ensure the safe recapture of the escapees.
Key points
- Tony Obina, a Nigerian drug dealer, has been recaptured after escaping from the Kakata Central Prison in Liberia.
- The Liberia Ministry of Justice confirmed the jailbreak and reported that a number of inmates had escaped from the Kakata Central Prison.
- Obina was recently convicted in a major drug-trafficking case and was being held at the Kakata Central Prison.
