HBBA Decries Increasing Jailbreaks, Seeks Urgent Prison Reforms

By IBIRONKE ARIYO

A Nigeria-based human rights organisation, Hope Behind Bars Africa has expressed deep concern over the jailbreak at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi (new), which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday 12 August.

In a statement signed in Abuja by its Communications Lead, Mr. Obinna Ejiogu, the organisation described the incident as part of a troubling pattern of jailbreaks across the country’s correctional facilities.

Report stated that at least 16 detainees escaped during the incident, while five staff members were injured, with two currently receiving urgent medical care.

Ejiogu recalled that in May 2025, seven detainees escaped from the Ilesha Custodial Centre in Osun State, while in March, 12 persons broke out of the Koton Karfe Correctional Centre in Kogi State.

According to him, the increasing frequency of jailbreaks signals a crisis in Nigeria’s justice and corrections system, requiring urgent and holistic reforms.

“There is a need for significant investment in infrastructure to modernise dilapidated facilities, measures to reduce overcrowding and policies to address systemic weaknesses.

“I urge the Federal Government to take decisive steps to stop the current spate of jailbreaks,” Ejiogu said.

He also called on the National Assembly to prioritise correctional reform by passing legislation focused on strengthening and upgrading facilities.

He added that reducing the prison population through reforms in sentencing and alternatives to incarceration were critical to addressing the root causes of insecurity in custodial centres.

“The time for urgent, coordinated action on the state of corrections in Nigeria is now,” Ejiogu said.

(NAN)