Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA), a criminal justice reform NGO, has linked repeated jailbreaks in Nigeria to overcrowded prisons and prolonged pre-trial detentions.
In a statement released Friday in Abuja, the organisation’s Senior Communications Officer, Obinna Ejiogu, said the latest jailbreak—where seven inmates escaped from the Ilesa Custodial Centre on May 20—highlights the systemic issues plaguing Nigeria’s correctional facilities. The escape occurred after part of the prison’s perimeter wall collapsed during a heavy downpour.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has since launched a nationwide search for the fugitives, offering a ₦5 million reward for information leading to their capture.
Ejiogu noted that this incident, following a similar jailbreak in Koton Karfe just two months ago, underscores the dire state of the justice system.
“These recurring incidents point to a justice system under strain, where inmates are held for long periods without trial, and facilities are overstretched beyond capacity,” he said.
He cited decaying infrastructure, outdated security measures, and poor staff morale as contributing factors to the rising insecurity in custodial centres.
To address the crisis, HBBA urged the government to implement non-custodial sentencing for non-violent offenders, speed up trial processes, and improve prison infrastructure.
The group also recommended disaster preparedness plans to prevent weather-related breaches.
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“The longer inmates remain in custody without trial, the higher the risk of unrest and escape,” Ejiogu warned.
He called for comprehensive reforms that ensure correctional centres are both secure and rehabilitative, reaffirming HBBA’s commitment to advancing justice and human rights.
