ENDSARS PROTESTS INVASIONS OF PRISONS
ENDSARS PROTESTS
INVASIONS OF PRISONS
Researched by Abiodun Mohammed Adeyemi Ajijola
Thursday, 18th June 2026
'During the October 2020 #EndSARS protests against police brutality, several correctional facilities and police stations were invaded, allowing thousands of inmates to escape. The most significant jailbreaks occurred in Edo State (Benin City) and Imo State (Owerri), which resulted in the freeing of over 2,000 prisoners.
The invasion of these prisons and the destruction of public property marked a shift in the protests, as the peaceful demonstrations were infiltrated by armed individuals who overpowered security forces.
Key details and locations regarding these events include:
- Benin City (October 19, 2020): Protesters and armed individuals invaded correctional facilities at Oko-Ogba and Sapele Road in Edo State, freeing hundreds of inmates and prompting the government to launch a manhunt.
- Owerri (April 5, 2021): Gunmen attacked the Imo State Police Command headquarters and the Owerri Correctional Centre, freeing over 2,000 inmates.
- Lagos State: While incidents were heavily concentrated in Edo and Imo states, there were also localized attacks on police stations and fears of facility breaches in Lagos (such as at Ikoyi Prison).
- Aftermath: While most of the focus shifted to police reform and the Lekki Toll Gate shootings, human rights groups and advocates have continued to call for the release or fair trial of detained individuals.'

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