Nigeria again suffered one of its most humiliating security failures as 16 inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The well-coordinated attack saw prisoners overpowering guards, injuring five correctional officers, two of whom are in critical condition and receiving treatment at a government hospital.

Nigeria’s prison system has suffered recurring jailbreaks and has a staggering death‑row population.

Over the years, these issues have exposed systemic weaknesses ranging from security failures to judicial bottlenecks, raising  questions about public safety and institutional reform.

From repeated jailbreaks to failing surveillance systems, Nigeria’s maximum-security prisons are no longer living up to their name. This report takes a deep look at a crumbling correctional system, where even the most dangerous inmates are one breach away from freedom.

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