Prison breaks in Nigeria

A prison break is an unlawful act under Nigerian law involving a prisoner escaping or forcing their way out of a prison.^[1][2] Prison breaks in Nigeria are also often the result of attacks on the Nigerian Correctional Service facilities by terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, or armed robbers, leading to the release of inmates.^[3] Efforts to recapture escaped inmates are typically coordinated by the Nigerian Correctional Service in conjunction with other security agencies. Escaped inmates, once apprehended, often face extended prison sentences.^[4]

Prison breaks in Nigeria have been attributed to systemic challenges such as corruption,^[5] underfunding of correctional facilities, and inadequate infrastructure. Many prisons lack essential security features such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance, motion detectors, high perimeter walls with barbed wire, and electrified fences.^[6][7]

Other factors contributing to prison breaks include overcrowding in correctional facilities, inadequate training of personnel, and delayed trials leading to frustration among awaiting-trial inmates. This has created a security vulnerability exploited by external attackers and organized groups.^[8] The Nigerian Correctional Service has been criticized for not adequately addressing these challenges.

In many cases, prison breaks are linked to larger security concerns within Nigeria, including terrorism and organized crime. Instances such as the Kuje prison attack in 2022 and other notable breaches illustrate the persistent threat posed to correctional facilities and the implications for public safety.^[9]