Nigeria Records 15 Jailbreak Incidents In 14 Months, Eight Were Successful

Between October 2020 and December 2021, Nigeria recorded 15 incidence of jailbreak across 11 states in the country. Within the period, eight of these incidents were successful with a total of 5,238 inmates escaping from prison. 

The affected states include: Edo, Ondo, Lagos, Abia, Delta, Imo, Bauchi, Kano, Kogi Oyo and Jos.

While the Nigerian Correctional Service intensified its efforts to capture some of the inmates, a few of them returned voluntarily while others are still on the loose.

This development is coming amidst several reports of banditry and kidnapping recorded in the year under review. According to newspaper reports, sourced by SBM intelligence, over 5000 people have been killed between January and June 2021. The report showed that at least 2,861 deaths were reported in the first quarter while 3133 deaths were recorded in the second quarter of 2021. 

Timeline Analysis

October 19, 2020: The deputy comptroller of correction in charge of Oko Prison, West Amayo, said at 9 a.m., an attempt to break into the jail was repelled. The attack was unsuccessful.

October 21, 2020: Two days after the Oko Prison attack, the Benin Prison located along the Benin-Sapele Road was attacked by hoodlums. A total of 1,993 inmates escaped from the two facilities.

April 15, 2021: Joint forces from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo Command, and the Nigerian Correctional Service stopped a jailbreak attempt by inmates at a facility at Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area.

October 29, 2021: A fight broke out among inmates at the Benin Medium Security prison on Sapele Road in Benin City, and some of them made efforts to escape, but the intervention of security agencies restored peace to the facility.

October 22, 2020: Almost 58 inmates were released from the facility in Okitipupa local government of Ondo State, after thugs broke in. The attackers destroyed properties belonging to the prison and injured staff on the premises.

October 22, 2020: An attempt at the Ikoyi facility was foiled by correctional officers and soldiers. During the attack, some prisoners were shot while others tried to breach the gate of the prison.

October 22, 2020: Another foiled attack occurred at the Afara Umuahia Correctional Centre when a combined team of the Nigerian Army, police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the armed unit of the Nigerian Correctional Centre, repelled an attempted jailbreak.

October 22, 2020 : A warder at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Warri, Delta State, was killed during an attempted jail break by the inmates. The main gate and administrative office of the correctional centre was set on fire in an attempt to facilitate the jailbreak.

April 4, 2021: Gunmen attacked a correctional centre in Owerri, the state capital, and freed 1,844 prisoners. Officials said in all, 84 inmates were returned to the facility.

April 9, 2021: Two officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) in Bauchi sustained injuries after a riot at the facility. Five of the inmates were injured in the process, but no inmates were able to escape after the riot.

April 22, 2021: Security agents foiled an attempted jail break by inmates of Kurmawa Prison located within the Emir’s Palace in Kano.

September 13, 2021: Armed men attacked the prison facility in Kabba, Kogi, North-central Nigeria, killing two officials and freeing 240 inmates. About 114 of the 240 correctional service were recaptured, after the Controller General of the correctional service, Haliru Nababa, gave directives to officers of the service to apprehend the escapees.

October 22, 2021: The Abolongo Custodial Centre was attacked and 837 inmates escaped from the facility, but the interior ministry said 262 had been recaptured. The ministry released the details of the remaining 575 still on the run. It published the photos of prison inmates who escaped from the custodial center.

July 19, 2021: Four inmates escaped from the Jos Maximum Prison.

November 28, 2021: The most recent jailbreak occurred on Sunday when gunmen stormed the medium security custodial centre, Jos, releasing 262. At least 10 inmates were killed during the encounter and one security personnel also died.

Kehinde Ogunyale

Reporting on the data-driven economy, and investigations.

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