The heightened state of insecurity in the country reached a feverish peak when on July 5, terrorists from the Islamic State in West Africa Province, ISWAP, attacked the Kuje correctional facility for more than two hours unhindered and freeing over 600 inmates from the prison.
While 300 of those inmates have since been recaptured, 64 of those inmates, all Boko Haram terrorists are currently at large.
Prison authorities have since declared all 64 wanted with their names and photographs made public.
So far, only one of the escaped terrorists has been recaptured. Hassan Hassan was recaptured by the eagle-eyed operatives of the state police command at Keffi, headquarters of Keffi local goverment area of Nasarawa State.
While the Kuje Prison break can be considered a serious breach of security, considering that the facility surprisingly has no Close Circuit Television and security guards that were supposed to be on duty were no where to be found at the time of the attack, it becomes even more worrisome that a former Army General turned civilian president, President Muhammadu Buhari, has allowed more jailbreaks happen under his watch, than every Nigerian president and Head of State combined.
Here is a timeline of how 14 jailbreaks happened right under Buhari’s watch.
October 7, 2017 — Enugu Maximum prison
Two inmates, Lucky Sama and Balogun Idiom Joseph, both convicted for two years for stealing, escaped the Enugu maximum security prison through the ceiling of a catholic church located in the centre.
December 27, 2017 – Ikot Ekpene Prison in Akwa Ibom state.
Thirty-six prisoners escaped from the facility in a well-coordinated operation by the inmates. The inmates attacked the kitchen staff that were on duty and broke loose. The incident led to the death of four other inmates.
June 3, 2018 – Minna medium security prison, Niger state
Gunmen attacked Minna medium security prison, Niger state, killing an official and a commercial motorcyclist. The attack resulted in the escape of 210 inmates from the facility.
October 28, 2019 – Koton Karfe correctional centre, Kogi state
About 122 inmates fled the Koton Karfe correctional centre after a section of the facility was overrun by flood following a downpour in the town. 25 of the fleeing inmates were recaptured.
October 19, 2020 — Benin and Oko prisons, Edo state
About 1,993 inmates escaped from custody in the jailbreaks that happened in Benin and Oko, Edo state. The jjail break occurred shortly after hoodlums attacked the prisons during the #EndSARS protest in the state.
October 22, 2020 – Okitipupa correctional centre, Ondo state.
During the #EndSARS protests, hoodlums broke into the prison in Okitipupa, Ondo state. The hoodlums were said to have pulled down the fence of the facility and set prisoners free. Fifty-eight inmates were released during the attack.
April 5, 2021 — Owerri correctional centre, Imo state
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) said 1,844 inmates escaped after gunmen attacked its facility in Owerri, Imo state. The correctional centre and the police command headquarters in Owerri were attacked consecutively. The police blamed Eastern Security Network, an outfit of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
July 8, 2021 – Jos Custodial Centre, Plateau state
In the wee hours of July 8, four suspects, who were awaiting trial over kidnapping and armed robbery, escaped the Jos custodial centre. Authorities blamed the incident on the negligence of the personnel on duty.
September 13, 2021 – Kabba Correctional Centre, Kogi state
Two security operatives were killed in an attack by gunmen on Kabba Correctional Centre in Kogi state. The gunmen were said to have attacked a military checkpoint located a few metres away from the centre before helping 240 inmates escape incarceration. 114 of the escaped inmates were re-arrested.
October 22, 2021 — Abolongo medium security custodial centre, Oyo state
Gunmen with sophisticated weapons attacked the Abolongo custodial centre in the state. The attackers, who reportedly caught the warders unawares, used hand grenades to gain access into the prison. The attack resulted in the escape of 837 inmates. A few days after the incident, 262 inmates were recaptured, while 575 were at large, according to The Cable.
November 28, 2021 – Jos correctional centre, Plateau state
About 262 inmates escaped the correctional centre after gunmen invaded the facility. 10 of them were captured, nine killed, while 252 inmates were at large.
January 2, 2022 — Mandala prison, Ilorin, Kwara state
Three inmates escaped from the custodial centre.
May 13, 2022 — Agbor prison, Delta state
After a heavy downpour on May 13 which resulted in the fall of the northern perimeter wall of the prison, three inmates took to their heels and escaped the prison. Following the incident, correctional guards, army and police officials were deployed to bring back the inmates.
July 5, 2022 — Kuje Correctional Facility, Abuja
The Kuje prison attack in the heart of the nation’s capital and seat of power is the latest and is the most daring of the attacks so far.