Metro

JUST IN: 118 Inmates Escape As Rainstorm Destroys Niger Prison

Published

1 year ago

April 25, 2024

Editor

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

NAF To Close Lagos Airport Road For Fitness Walk

Published

16 hours ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force said there would be a temporary road closure in Lagos around the Murtala Mohammed Airport axis on Saturday for a 10km walk exercise by its personnel.

This is contained in a statement on Friday by the spokesperson of the NAF Headquarters Logistics Command, Lagos, Sqd. Abigail Ologun.

Ologun said that the upcoming fitness exercise is aimed at enhancing the health, well-being, and operational readiness of its personnel.

“The exercise is scheduled to commence at 6.00 a.m. and conclude by 8.00 a.m.

“During this period, certain sections of the Airport Road and adjoining routes will be temporarily closed to public vehicular movement,” she said.

Ologun said that the affected route to be closed temporarily was the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 to Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

She advised members of the public to make use of alternative routes and comply with traffic directives from the NAF and security personnel who would be on the ground to ensure safety and minimise inconvenience.

“Normal traffic flow will be restored immediately after the exercise.

“The Command assures the public that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth, safe, and hitch-free exercise.

“The Nigerian Air Force sincerely regrets any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the general public,” Ologun said.
(NAN)

Metro

NAF Announces Two-hour Road Closure In Abuja For 10km Walk

Published

16 hours ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force will on Saturday, conduct its annual 10-kilometre Walk/Jog Exercise in Abuja as part of efforts to enhance the health, fitness and operational readiness of its personnel.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Ejodame said that the exercise underscored the importance of physical fitness to military efficiency and overall mission readiness.

He said the exercise, which would commence by 6:00 am and end by 8:00 am, will take place along the service lane between Karu Bridge and Mogadishu Cantonment Bridge in the Abuja-Nyanya-Keffi expressway.

This, according to him, will lead to temporary closure of the road to vehicular movement during the period.

Ejodame said adequate arrangements had been made to ensure the safety of participants and residents, adding that normal traffic flow would resume immediately after the exercise.

He appreciated the cooperation and understanding of the public as the NAF continues to promote the well-being and effectiveness of its personnel in the discharge of constitutional duties.

(NAN)

Metro

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

2 days ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a football coach, Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years in prison for sodomising one of his underage players.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Hayatu without the option of a fine.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.