Nigeria: 220 inmates escape from Minna jail June 3

Event

Authorities have announced that unidentified gunmen attacked a prison in the city of Minna (Niger state) on Sunday, June 3, around 20:00 (local time), allowing at least 220 prisoners to escape. Officials confirmed that 30 of the inmates had been recaptured, but 190 remained at large as of June 4. Prison authorities stated that an investigation was ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the assault. Increased security measures and associated disruptions are to be anticipated in the area as the manhunt continues.

Context

Prison breaks periodically occur in Nigeria, a country beset by numerous security challenges including kidnappings, banditry, the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency, as well as communal violence between farmers and herders.

Advice

Individuals in or near Minna are advised to avoid the vicinity of the prison, keep abreast of the situation, adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities, remain vigilant, and report any suspicious activity.

On a more general note, the security environment in Nigeria is complex and is particularly concerning in the northeast and extreme south of the country due to the presence of armed groups, high crime rates, and the risk of kidnapping. Some Western governments consequently advise against travel to certain areas of the northeast (e.g. states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Jigawa, and Kano states) and the southern Niger Delta region (e.g. states of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers). It is also advisable to avoid nonessential travel to Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, and Kaduna states. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to these areas.