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118 Inmates Escape As Rainstorm Destroys Niger Prison

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A heavy downpour has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, resulting in extensive damage to the facility and facilitating the escape of 118 inmates.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the spokesperson, Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Adamu Duza, yesterday.
Duza noted that the downpour which occurred on Wednesday night, caused severe damage to the custodial centre’s infrastructure, including a breach in the perimeter fence, which allowed the inmates to flee.
However, 10 fleeing inmates had been recaptured following a swift response by the NCoS in collaboration with other security agencies.
Duazu promised that efforts were ongoing to recapture the remaining fleeing inmates, adding that their database would soon be made known to the public.
Recognising the vulnerability of ageing facilities, many of which were built during the colonial era, Duza acknowledged that the NCoS was committed to modernising its infrastructure.
The statement further noted that the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, assured the public that the situation was under control and urged them to carry on with their daily activities without fear.
The public was encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or sightings of escaped inmates to the nearest security agency.
The statement read in part, “A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying parts of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of 118 inmates of the facility.
“The service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies, has so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot pursuit to recapture the rest.
“The service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era and that they are old and weak. The Service is making frantic efforts to ensure that all aging facilities give way to modern ones.
“The Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, wishes to assure the public that the service is on top of the situation and that they should go about their normal businesses without fear or hindrance.”
Meanwhile, the United States has underscored the significant challenge of overcrowding in Nigerian prisons.
The US, according to its ‘2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria,’ published on its website on Tuesday, noted that numerous correctional facilities were grappling with a staggering 50 per cent increase in the number of inmates beyond their intended capacity, revealing a systemic issue.
Furthermore, it disclosed that a notable proportion of these prisons, some with histories dating back 70 to 80 years, faced difficulties in meeting even the most fundamental standards of living.

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We’re Vigilant, Steadfast In Preserving Peace, Stability Of Rivers – Fubara …Lays Wreath To Mark 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day 

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has pointed to the robust government-security agencies’ collaboration that has greatly helped in achieving the reassuring peace and stability enjoyed in the State.

 

The Governor also described such feat to divine help, insisting that without the grace of God, every human effort and strategies would have come to naught.

 

Governor Fubara spoke at the venue of events climaxing the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

 

Earlier at the parade ground in Isaac Adaka Boro Park, Governor Fubara inspected the guard of honour mounted by officers of the Armed Forces and security agencies.

 

He also laid the wreath alongside his Deputy, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, State’s Chief Judge and Service Commanders, chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, acting chairman of the State chapter of Nigerian Legion and a representative of widows of the fallen heroes. Governor Fubara also released the pigeons to signify peace.

 

Governor Fubara emphasised the role every Nigerian must play in achieving enduring peace and security as they continue to support the Armed Forces and security agencies in overcoming security challenges that confront the country.

 

He said: “Rivers State has enjoyed significant peace and stability under this administration, a testament to the collaboration between the government and security agencies, as well as the grace of God.

 

“We remain vigilant and steadfast in preserving this peace and will continue to provide the necessary support to security formations in the State to ensure they can effectively discharge their duties.

 

“I call on every citizen to rally around our Armed Forces and work together to strengthen our national unity. We must ensure that every section of our country feels included and valued, fostering a stronger and more cohesive Nigeria.”

 

Governor Fubara commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts in modernizing and prioritizing the welfare of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

 

The Governor offered the assurance of his administration to remain loyal, supportive while collaborating with the Federal Government in achieving better and improved welfare for men and officers of the nation’s security agencies.

 

Governor Fubara noted that while Nigeria has endured the trials of civil war, it has continued to tackle the internal threats from terrorism and armed insurgency, saying, “Through it all, our Armed Forces have stood resolute defending us, keeping peace, upholding our nation’s integrity, and ensuring the survival of our beloved country.

 

“Even as we speak, our servicemen and women remain on the frontlines, courageously combating insurgencies and other threats to our security. Today, we gather to reflect on and celebrate the bravery of our veterans, whose dedication has safeguarded our nation’s territorial integrity and preserved its sovereignty.”

 

Governor Fubara said that without the heroism of these gallant servicemen and women, Nigeria would not be what it is today, either would the people enjoy the prevailing freedoms and peace that are often taken for granted.

 

The Governor recommitted his administration to supporting the legionnaires and families of the fallen heroes, and pledged the sum of N50million to the widows to enable them scale up their economic activities, pay rents and solve other problems of their families.

 

In his speech, the Acting Chairman of Nigeria Legion, Rivers State Chapter, ACC Kuu Aminkipo Promise, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for his immeasurable financial support to members of the legion, which has sustained their livelihoods and kept their wards in school.

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Tinubu congratulates Nigerian scientists, engineers on making Biden’s honour list

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President Bola Tinubu has congratulated six Nigerians named by President Joe Biden among the 400 recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in the United States.

This recognition, established by former President Bill Clinton in 1996, is the highest honour bestowed by the United States government on outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their careers.

This year’s awardees, announced by Biden on Jan. 14, are employed or funded by 14 participating United States government agencies, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Spokesman, said in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.

The Nigerian honourees include Azeez Butali, Gilbert Lilly Endowed Professor of Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa; and Ijeoma Opara, Associate Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences), Yale School of Public Health, Yale University.

Others are: Oluwatomi Akindele, Postdoctoral researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; and Eno Ebong, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Biology at Northeastern University;

The rest are: Oluwasanmi Koyejo, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University; and Abidemi Ajiboye, Executive Vice Chair of the Case School of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University.

Tinubu commended the awardees for their achievements in science, technology and engineering.

He noted that recognising the talents of the awardees underscored Nigerians’ vast potential to excel both at home and on the global stage.

Tinubu looked forward to the honourees sharing their multidisciplinary expertise to benefit Nigeria’s development efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

 

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UAE president to visit Nigeria in 2025

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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accepted President Bola Tinubu’s invitation to visit Nigeria this year.

Tinibu invited him on Wednesday during their bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement.

President Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday as a guest of the UAE President to participate in the Sustainability Week.

He delivered Nigeria’s position on climate and other challenges earlier on Wednesday and congratulated the UAE leader for the successful event.

During the discussions, the Sheikh thanked Tinubu for accepting his invitation and expressed the UAE’s determination to strengthen economic cooperation between Nigeria and his country.

The two leaders also explored attracting investment into Nigeria.

President Tinubu said his government’s economic reforms were yielding fruits and called on the UAE to partner with Nigeria to develop the economy.

He said the reforms had stabilised and grown the economy, encouraging foreign investors, including international oil companies, to announce billion-dollar investments, signalling renewed confidence in doing business with Africa’s most populous nation.

President Tinubu thanked Al Nahyan for the warm reception he and his aides received since their arrival over the weekend.

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