Following the most recent jailbreak in Kogi State, which shows the persistent challenges in Nigeria’s Correctional system, The ICIR documents the timeline of similar incidents in Nigeria from 2016 till date as well as the patterns at which they have unfolded.
The ICIR reported that in the early hours of March 24, 2025, twelve inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Koton Karfe, Kogi State, marking another incident in Nigeria’s series of prison breaks.
The escapees manipulated padlocks in a section of the facility, leading to their breakout. Tragically, one correctional officer died during the incident. Security experts attribute these recurring incidents to systemic issues within Nigeria’s correctional system.
A report by Premium Times highlights factors such as infrastructural deficits, overcrowding, and prolonged trials as contributing to the frequency of prison breaks in the country. Also, a study published on ResearchGate emphasises the need for improved prison intelligence and dynamic security strategies to manage correctional facilities effectively.
In response to the Kogi jailbreak, the Acting Controller General of Corrections of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and mandated a security audit across all correctional facilities nationwide.
Timelines of jailbreaks
2016: FCT, Kogi & Enugu
The year witnessed multiple jailbreaks. On June 24, of that year two inmates awaiting trial for murder escaped from the Kuje Medium Correctional Centre in Abuja by scaling the fence. This led to the removal of the officer-in-charge, Musa Tanko.
Just over a month later, on July 29, 13 inmates escaped from Koton-Karfe Correctional Centre in Kogi State during a coordinated breach.
Then on August 9, at least 15 inmates broke out of the Nsukka Correctional Centre in Enugu State.
2017: Enugu & Akwa Ibom
On October 7, two convicted inmates, Lucky Sama and Balogun Idiom Joseph fled through the ceiling of a Catholic Church within the Enugu Maximum Security Prison.
Similarly, on December 27, 36 inmates escaped from Ikot Ekpene Prison in Akwa Ibom State. The escapees attacked kitchen staff, even as four inmates were killed in the process.
2018: Niger
On June 3, gunmen stormed the Minna Medium Security Prison in Niger State, killing a prison official and a motorcyclist. The attack enabled the escape of 210 inmates.
2019: Kogi
On October 28, floodwaters overran part of the Koton Karfe Correctional Centre in Kogi State. The breach allowed 122 inmates to flee, although 25 were later re-arrested.
2020: Edo & Ondo
The #EndSARS protests triggered widespread unrest, including in correctional facilities. On October 19, hoodlums attacked Benin and Oko prisons, enabling 1,993 inmates to escape.
Three days later, on October 22, another 58 inmates were freed after protesters broke into the Okitipupa Correctional Centre in Ondo State, bringing down its fence.
2021: Imo, Plateau & Kogi
On April 5, in one of the most brazen attacks, gunmen ambushed the Owerri Correctional Centre in Imo State. 1,844 inmates were set free. The attack was allegedly linked to the Eastern Security Network (ESN), affiliated with the outlawed Indigenous Peoples ofb Biafra (IPOB).
On July 8, four detainees escaped the Jos Custodial Centre in Plateau State. Officials blamed staff negligence.
On September 13, gunmen attacked the Kabba Correctional Centre in Kogi State, killing two security operatives and freeing 240 inmates. About 114 were later recaptured.
On October 22, heavily armed assailants raided the Abolongo Medium Security Custodial Centre in Oyo State, using grenades to breach the gates. 837 inmates escaped, out of which 262 were recaptured.
On November 28, gunmen stormed the Jos Correctional Centre again. 262 inmates escaped, nine were killed and ten re-arrested, while 252 remained at large.
2022: Kwara & FCT
The year began with another breach on January 2, when three inmates escaped from the Mandala Custodial Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State.
On May 13, after a perimeter wall collapsed due to heavy rain, three inmates escaped from the Agbor Prison in Delta State. In July, Nigeria witnessed one of its most high-profile breaches as the Kuje Medium Security Prison in Abuja was attacked by ISWAP terrorists. 879 inmates, including 64 Boko Haram fighters, escaped after explosives and firearms were used. A security officer was killed, and several others were injured.
2024: Niger & Borno
A heavy overnight rainstorm severely had damaged the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, near Abuja. The downpour destroyed parts of the prison’s infrastructure, including the perimeter fence, leading to the escape of 118 inmates. Authorities swiftly activated recapture protocols, and by the following day, 14 escapees had been re-arrested.
On September 9, 2024 severe flooding caused by the collapse of the Alau Dam led to catastrophic damage in Maiduguri, Borno State, including the breach of the Medium Security Custodial Centre’s walls. This disaster resulted in the escape of 281 inmates. Only seven were reportedy recaptured.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with these challenges, experts advocate for urgent reforms to address the root causes of prison breaks and to strengthen the country’s correctional infrastructure.