400 terrorists, others at large two years after Kuje jailbreak

Two years after the attack on the Kuje Medium Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory, over 400 escaped inmates remain at large, including several terrorists.

Despite ongoing efforts, security agencies have been unable to recapture the fugitives.

According to data on the Nigerian Correctional Service’s website, over 400 inmates who fled during the jailbreak on July 5, 2022, are still unaccounted for. The figure includes Boko Haram terrorists.

The jailbreak, claimed by the Islamic State in West Africa Province, saw over 900 inmates break free from the facility.

In response, Nigerian authorities launched a manhunt, recapturing 421 inmates in the immediate aftermath.

The identities of the remaining fugitives were shared with the International Criminal Police Organisation and circulated among various security agencies.

Concerns have been raised about the potential implications of these individuals remaining at large.

A security expert Oladele Fajana, who spoke to our correspondent on Friday pointed out that poor data management was a key factor slowing down the process of recapturing these individuals.

“Without a comprehensive and well-maintained database, tracking and apprehending escapees becomes more challenging”, he noted.

Fajana emphasised the problem of porous borders, suggesting that escapees could easily cross into neighbouring countries, complicating efforts to recapture them.

He said, “Poor data management is responsible for the slow recapturing of these fleeing inmates. Also, the issue of close borders is a challenge because the fleeing inmates could easily go there. The government should make sure that the database of every citizen is captured so that he or she can easily be traced or arrested in case of any crime.”