On 5 July the Boko Haram breakaway faction Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) led a successful attack on a well-secured prison in Nigerias capital Abuja. The group shot its way into the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre after overpowering security guards in a well-coordinated assault.

The government said 879 detainees escaped including all 68 imprisoned Boko Haram members. About half the escapees were recaptured one confirmed to be from the violent extremist group.

The attackers may have responded to Islamic States (ISIS) call in April to free jailed fighters. Detained Ansaru (an al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria) members are also believed to have escaped.

This is the latest in a string of high-profile strikes that question the governments ability to protect its citizens. The attack came hours after President Muhammadu Buharis convoy was targeted by bandits in his home state of Katsina. Less than a week before attackers invaded a mine site killing about 40 security personnel and abducting four Chinese nationals. And a month ago unknown shooters killed 40 worshippers in a church in Ondo State.

Last weeks prison break the fourth in a year is perhaps the most significant incident for Nigeria the Lake Chad Basin and beyond considering that it involved Boko Haram detainees. The region is facing a surge in terror attacks notably from ISWAP. The group has expanded and become the regions prime security threat.

This isnt the first time Boko Haram has targeted detention facilities. In December 2013 the group attacked the Maiduguri air force base freeing its members and destroying five aircraft. Three months later the terrorists bridged Maiduguris well-fortified Giwa army barracks freeing detained members.

How was ISWAP able to carry out this latest attack? Kuje is one of Nigerias most secure prisons. The Nigerian Correctional Service said that at the time of the attack the jail was guarded by soldiers police Civil Defence Corps the State Security Service and the prisons armed squad.

The facility is less than 50 km from the Presidency and over 800 km from ISWAPs comfort zone Borno State in north-east Nigeria. The operations resources (both human and material) planning and coordination would have been massive. The groups success shows its strength and determination to spread terror beyond Nigerias north-east.

Could ISWAP have had help from inside the prison or the security forces? Buhari was visibly angry when he visited the prison after the attack. He questioned the intelligence system in place the attackers easy access to the facility and their ability to leave without a trace. The arrest of two police officers who allegedly communicated with Boko Haram after their escape suggests there may have been collusion.

Former fighters who had left the group told the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) that while one of the escaped terrorists was in jail he communicated easily with ISWAP members outside. The detainee – reportedly a pioneer member of Boko Haram – apparently owned a cellphone that he used to send dozens of messages especially sermons through voice notes to ISWAP members.