Metro

JUST IN: 118 Inmates Escape As Rainstorm Destroys Niger Prison

Published

1 week ago

April 25, 2024

A downpour on Wednesday night 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, on Thursday.

Duza noted that the downpour caused severe damage to the custodial centre’s infrastructure, including a breach in the perimeter fence, which allowed the inmates to flee.

In response, the NCoS swiftly activated its recapturing protocols, collaborating with other security agencies to recover 10 of the escaped inmates.

Efforts to recapture the remaining fleeing inmates are said to be ongoing.

Recognising the vulnerability of aging 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,” the statement added.

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.

Metro

Delta Lady Dies After Friends Allegedly Pushed Her Into Pot Of Boiling Pepper [Photos]

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

Editor

A Nigerian lady identified as Roseline has died due to severe burns after she was pushed into a big pot of boiling grounded fresh pepper and tomatoes by her friends in Delta State.

Activist, Comrade Israel Joe, who confirmed the incident in a Facebook post on Friday, May 3, 2024, said Roseline died last Friday after two weeks of fighting for her life in a hospital in Warri.

According to Joe, before Roseline passed away, she revealed that her friends were ‘beefing’ her but she still travelled with them for a catering job in Sapele where the incident happened.

The activist is demanding justice for the deceased, vowing to bring the perpetrators to book.

He wrote: “RIP, dear Rozzy. She was pushed into a big boiling pot of grinded fresh pepper and tomatoes by her friend on Saturday, 13th April. She battled for about two weeks with her roasted/boiled body and finally died last week Friday 26th April,” he wrote.

“Rozzy was buried four days ago, but we can’t just allow things to slide as though nothing happened. What an evíI friendship like those I once had.

“Nobody in the neighbourhood in Otokutu knew Roseline had been allegedly kíIIed by these same friends she was living with. She was buried with no one to bid her goodbye and with no single bųríaI poster to honour her. Just two days in the morgue, the mortuary attendants demanded she be carried away to bury.

“According to Rozzy, her friends were beefing her, but she still decided to travel with them for a catering job in Sapele where they were speaking their local language with this Yoruba girl, Rozzy, not understanding their conversation.

“All of a sudden, she landed in a very big pot of boiling fresh pepper and tomatoes where they even still delayed in rescuing her. She was later rushed to Sage Hospital, by Estate in Warri, where they managed the situation, but my friend couldn’t make it.

“What pains me is that these two girls are still walking and gallivanting everywhere like nothing happened. I hate intimidation and oppression, especially against persons who are non-indigenes.

“No report to the police, no investigations, no arrest, nothing. The law is superior, a citizen is a citizen and possesses the full right of citizenship. Keep your “indigeneship” in your pocket, the police must smoke them out so they can face the law. Na God dey help who nor get helper.

“We shall fight for Rozzy, you can not just be kílled like a chicken and buried like an aŋímąl. Nobody deserves such a hørribIe dęąth. We never got to meet Rose, only chatting on Facebook due to endless busy schedules only to see you, at the most disgusting sight at Sage Hospital, hoping for your recovery, but dęąțĥ stole you. Justice shall prevail, including if you would be exhumed.
#Justice4Rosy Rest on Dearest.”

Metro

JUST IN: Terrorists Kill Vigilantes, Abduct Two Village Heads, Others In Kaduna

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Editor

Some terrorists have reportedly killed eight vigilante members and two other persons in Kakangi and Unguwan Matinja communities in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The village heads of Kakangi and Kisaya villages under Kakangi Ward were also abducted.

A resident of the LG identified as Idris Khalid, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent, said the gun-wielding men invaded the villages at about early Thursday.

The eight vigilante members who were killed in Kakangi were Bala Kamba, Abdurrahman Musa (Ubale), Kabiru Dan Dugui, Hambali Abu, Aliyu Abu, Nura Jika (Maleka), Mubarak Musa (Dan Wamba) and Ikra Hantsi.

Khalid added that the two victims in the Ungwan Matinja community under Gayam Ward were identified as Christopher Abubakar and Isah Gambo.

He said the vigilantes were attacked while trailing the kidnapped victims who were abducted on their way to a burial between Kakangi and Sabon Layi.

“The vigilantes engaged the terrorists, killing scores of them but could not rescue the two traditional rulers and others.

“Normally, anytime there is a kidnap incident, the vigilantes always trail the terrorists to rescue the victims.

“It’s unfortunate that in the process, eight gallant officers of the vigilantes who have been sacrificing in ensuring the safety of our people were lost,” the resident said.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, said, “We are investigating the matter to unravel the true story because the area where the incident happened had a network problem.”

Metro

Court Remands Tenant For Setting Landlord’s House On Fire In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2024

Editor

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Thursday ordered that a 35-year-old man, Dickson Peter, be remanded in a correction facility for allegedly setting his landlord’s house on fire.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police charged the defendant with two counts of felony and arson.

The Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, who did not take his plea due to lack of jurisdiction, ordered that he be remanded in the Abolongo Correctional Facility, Oyo Town.

Mudashiru said the remand is pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

He adjourned the matter until July 23, 2024, for reference.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Femi Oluwadare told the court that Peter, on April 18, at about 12:30 am, was alleged to have unlawfully set fire to the house of his landlord, Cepas Okeme, and destroyed properties worth N6.5 million.

Oluwadare said that after he set the building on fire, it also spread to the next house property belonging to Bose Ali ‘F’ and destroyed property worth N3.5 million.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 443 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.