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One year after the attack on the Kuje Medium Security Correctional Centre, the repercussions of the incident continue to reverberate in Nigeria.
The carefully orchestrated attack carried out by armed terrorists on midnight of July 5th 2022 caught the security personnel off guard, despite prior intelligence warnings of a potential assault.
The attackers, armed with machine guns and improvised explosive devices, overwhelmed the officers on duty and successfully released 879 out of 994 inmates, including all 64 members of the notorious Boko Haram terrorist group.
The smoothly executed attack left one security officer and four inmates dead, with 16 people injured.
Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of ISIS operating in the region, but intelligence sources and researchers familiar with the groups involved suggested that Ansaru, another terrorist organization, aided ISWAP in carrying out the assault.
Efforts to recapture the escaped inmates have been ongoing, but challenges persist. The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) said that 415 inmates, more than half of those who escaped, including terrorists, have been recaptured, while over 400 individuals remain at large.
The attack on the Kuje prison was not an isolated incident, but was part of a broader pattern of prison attacks across Nigeria, with reports indicating that over 4,307 inmates have escaped from various correctional facilities since 2017.
Security measures in a medium security correctional centre
Maximum security correctional facilities are designed to have the highest level of security, with extensive measures in place to prevent escapes and ensure the safety of inmates, staff, and the public.
These facilities are typically fortified with multiple layers of fencing, including double or even triple fences, along with additional barriers such as razor wire or electric fencing.
The perimeter walls are constructed to be highly resistant to breaches, and the access points are closely monitored and controlled.
In contrast, while medium security correctional facilities still maintain a level of security, including perimeter fencing, the measures are not as stringent as those in maximum security facilities, striking a balance between security and prisoner movement.
Medium security correctional centres often have double fences to provide an additional layer of defense against unauthorized access. This dual fencing system helps to deter escape attempts and provides a buffer zone between the inner and outer perimeters.
Despite the magnitude of the Kuje attack, some critical vulnerabilities remain unaddressed. The facility still relies on a single perimeter wall and the existing metal gate lacks reinforcement to withstand future jailbreak attempts.
While efforts to construct a second perimeter wall are underway, progress has been slow, with the job still in the steel reinforcement stage.
Measures to fortify Kuje correctional centre
The attack on the Kuje correctional centre exposed significant gaps in Nigeria’s intelligence system and raised questions about the effectiveness of security measures.
Nevertheless, the NCoS has taken some significant steps to fortify its facilities and ensure the safety of inmates and personnel.
Correctional facilities have been declared red zones, and additional security personnel have been deployed to vulnerable locations.
There has also been the installation of solar panels for power generation and enhanced night surveillance, as well as the presence of CCTV cameras in strategic areas.
Additionally, the use of technology, such as the Corrections Information Management System (CIMS) in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has been instrumental in tracking and recapturing fleeing inmates.
The NCoS has also provided additional training for personnel, reinforced facility perimeters, and intensified surveillance efforts nationwide.
In response to the attack, former President Muhammadu Buhari ordered an investigation to identify the remote and immediate causes of the breach and although the investigation has been concluded, its details have not been made public due to security concerns.
Undeterred by the magnitude of the task, the NCoS remains resolute in its commitment to track down and apprehend all remaining fugitives still at large.
The challenges posed by extremist groups require a multifaceted approach that combines intelligence gathering, proactive measures, and swift response to threats.
President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the importance of a unified approach to national security and has instructed service chiefs to work together to address the country’s security challenges.
The aim is to foster collaboration and coordination among security agencies to ensure a cohesive response to threats and enhance the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security apparatus.