More than two years have passed since the audacious attack on the Kuje Medium Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, during which over 400 inmates, including several Boko Haram terrorists, escaped.
 Despite the extensive efforts of security agencies, these fugitives remain at large, causing growing concern about the potential dangers posed by their continued freedom.
The jailbreak, which occurred on July 5, 2022, and was later claimed by the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), led to the escape of more than 900 inmates.
In the immediate aftermath, Nigerian authorities launched an intense manhunt that recaptured 421 of the escapees.
However, according to recent data from the Nigerian Correctional Service, the whereabouts of over 400 inmates remain unknown, including individuals affiliated with the Boko Haram terrorist group.
In response to the jailbreak, the identities of the remaining fugitives were shared with the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) and disseminated across various security agencies in an effort to widen the search net.
The inability to recapture these individuals after such a long period has raised significant concerns about the effectiveness of the ongoing manhunt and the potential implications of these fugitives remaining at large.
Security expert Oladele Fajana highlighted that poor data management within the country is one of the key factors impeding the successful recapture of these dangerous individuals.
 According to Fajana, without a comprehensive and well-maintained database, tracking and apprehending escapees becomes increasingly challenging.
He emphasized the need for the Nigerian government to improve its data management systems to enhance the ability of security agencies to locate and capture these fugitives.
Fajana also pointed out the issue of Nigeria’s porous borders, which present a significant obstacle in the recapture efforts.
 He warned that the escaped inmates could have easily crossed into neighboring countries, thereby complicating the search process even further.
He suggested that the Nigerian government should not only focus on improving internal data management but also work on strengthening border security to prevent such incidents in the future.
“The government should ensure that a database of every citizen is captured so that individuals can be easily traced or arrested in case of any crime,” Fajana said. “The issue of close borders is also a challenge, as fleeing inmates could easily go there.”
As time goes on, the prolonged freedom of these fugitives continues to be a source of concern for both the authorities and the general public, underscoring the need for more effective measures to address the challenges facing Nigeria’s security infrastructure.
