Security breach at Maimalari cantonment: Nine soldiers escape military detention in Maiduguri

Security breach at Maimalari cantonment: Nine soldiers escape military detention in Maiduguri

In a troubling development, the Nigerian military is investigating the escape of nine soldiers from a detention facility within Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri—headquarters of the Army’s 7th Division and a strategic base in the fight against insurgency in the North-East.

The incident occurred around 2:15 a.m. on Monday, plunging the cantonment into confusion and raising serious questions about internal security protocols. Military sources revealed that the escapees were being held over grave national security concerns, including alleged links to Boko Haram and suspected involvement in illegal arms trafficking to terrorist groups.

“There was a jailbreak at Maimalari Cantonment. Nine personnel detained mostly for dealing in arms running with terrorists escaped,” a senior military source confirmed.

One of the escapees was reportedly rearrested shortly after the incident during a search operation in nearby bushland. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining eight fugitives.

“It’s a very major security breach. Imagine something like this happening inside a military barracks—it’s shameful,” another source lamented.

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The escape has reignited concerns over internal compromise within the armed forces. Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor (retd.), had previously warned against rising cases of military personnel aiding terrorists and bandits.

In a memo circulated during his tenure, Irabor urged commanders to remain vigilant and discourage collaboration with enemies of the state.

“Recent happenings in various theatres of operation reveal an increase in cases of aiding and abetting by personnel,” the memo read.

The document cited a case in Bama LGA, Borno State, where a soldier was arrested for colluding with a known terrorist informant, Babagana Kura.

In 2022, Lance Corporal Abdullahi Jibrin, an instructor with the Nigerian Army Battalion in Geidam, Yobe State, reportedly took his own life after being arrested for allegedly collaborating with Boko Haram insurgents. Jibrin had vanished from his duty post and was later spotted among attackers in Geidam before being tracked down by army intelligence in Gashua.

These incidents underscore the growing threat posed by insider activities that undermine military operations and embolden insurgent networks.

The latest escape has sparked public concern and calls for urgent reforms in military detention protocols and internal surveillance. Security analysts warn that lapses within military facilities, especially in insurgency-prone regions, could jeopardize national efforts to combat terrorism.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement, but investigations are underway to determine how the escape occurred and to prevent future breaches.

Security breach at Maimalari cantonment: Nine soldiers escape military detention in Maiduguri