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Tag: Inmates

  • Inmates, officers bruised in foiled Edo jailbreak

    Inmates, officers bruised in foiled Edo jailbreak

    Inmates as well as officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service were hurt on Wednesday in an attempted jailbreak at the Medium Security Custodial Centre Ubiaja in Edo State.

    The incident happened days after a foiled jailbreak by inmates in Bauchi State which left many injured.

    The attempted jailbreak at Ubiaja also happened days after over 1,800 inmates were freed when gunmen attacked the Owerri prison in Imo State. Hoodlums had also attacked prisons in Edo State last October in the aftermath of the #EndSARS riot, freeing thousands of inmates.

    In a statement on Friday by the spokesman for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Edo State Command, Aminu Suleman, inmates at Ubiaja prison on Wednesday “started an unrest by refusing to return to their cells on being opened out as it is the routine practice”.

    “Investigation later revealed that some hardened criminals among the inmates instigated others to riot having heard of what happened at Oko, Benin and Owerri to effect jail break for possible escape.

    “This led to violence, damaging of cells, the admin blocks, medical office and boring of holes on the perimeter fence in a bid to facilitate their escape from custody,” Suleman said in the statement titled, ‘Jailbreak Foiled At Ubiaja Custodial Centre’.

    Continuing, the statement added, “They were eventually repelled and overpowered due to the re-enforcement of armed personnel of the Correctional Service, the Police Force, Nigerian Army, NSCDC and the DSS who were deployed to the Custodial center to ensure calm and full control of the situation.

    “The situation is fully under control with the inmates returned to their cells. No life was lost but some staff and inmates sustained various degrees of injuries and no inmate escaped from custody.”

    Suleman stated that the Controller of Correctional Service in the state was at the Custodial Centre in person and thanked the various sister security agencies for the effective synergy and prompt response.

    The spokesperson for the state command also said the Controller assured the general public of peace and calm at the various custodial centres in Edo State.

     

  • Imo jailbreak: Over 80 inmates back in custody

    Imo jailbreak: Over 80 inmates back in custody

    No fewer than 80 inmates have voluntarily returned to the Owerri custodial centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

    Over 1844 inmates had escaped on Monday when gunmen attacked the centre and released them.

    The gunmen also attacked the headquarters of the Nigerian Police and set ablaze the office of the Criminal Investigation Department after releasing all the detainees.

    On a visit to the damaged facilities on Tuesday, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had said inmates, who turn themselves in, would not be tried for jailbreak.

    About 40 returned on Tuesday, making a total of 82 number of inmates in custody at present.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Centre, Mr. Joe Madugba, told newsmen that the inmates returned between Tuesday and Wednesday.

    He said, “We have a total of 82 inmates right now. Remember that we have 36 that refused to escape and six that returned. Presently 40 others have joined them. They might have heeded the advice of the honourable minister to grant them amnesty from the crime of jailbreak.”

    He said that the centre is still expecting more of the detainees to return.

  • Gunmen raze another police station in Imo, free inmates hours after jailbreak in Owerri

    Gunmen raze another police station in Imo, free inmates hours after jailbreak in Owerri

    Imo State appears to be top on the list of troubled states in the country at the moment following a fresh attack on a police station barely a day after the massive attacks on a correctional facility and adjoining police command in Owerri, the state capital.

    According to reports a group of armed men invaded another police facility in the state on Tuesday.

    The latest attack was carried out on the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area – just about an hour-and-a-half drive from the state capital.

    Sources said the gunmen, who came in buses and in a large number, arrived at the police station and freed all the suspects in detention before setting the building ablaze.

    Police authorities in the state confirmed the incident although they insisted that the armoury at the station was intact.

    “Ehime Mbano (Police) Division has just been attacked, no casualty on the part of the police, no loss of arms, three vehicles burnt,” Orlando Ikeokwu who is the Police Public Relations Officer said.

    On Monday, gunmen attacked the Police Command Headquarters in the state where they burnt almost all the vehicles parked there.

    The attack, carried out in the early hours of Monday, happened at a time when gunmen also invaded the Owerri Custodial Centre, freeing hundreds of inmates serving various jail terms.

    Authorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) put the figure of inmates who fled the correctional facility at 1,844.

    They, however, noted that six of the fleeing inmates voluntarily returned to the facility while 35 others refused to escape from custody.

    The incident was condemned by the Federal Government and the state government, as well as various individuals and groups in the country.

    Mr Mohammed Adamu, who was the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) at the time of the attacks, ordered the immediate deployment of additional units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and other police tactical squads to Imo.

    He stated that this was important to strengthen security in the state and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the state.

    The former police chief had also directed the Commissioner of Police in Imo and a new Special Investigation Team to carry out holistic investigations into the incident, with a view to arresting and bringing the perpetrators of the attacks to justice.

    A day after the incident, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, as well as the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and Adamu visited Imo for an on-the-spot assessment of the attacked facilities.

    But the attack on the police station in Ehime Mbano is said to have occurred barely three hours after the vice president, the minister, and the former police chief left the state.

    The attack, carried out in the early hours of Monday, happened at a time when gunmen also invaded the Owerri Custodial Centre, freeing hundreds of inmates serving various jail terms.

    Authorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) put the figure of inmates who fled the correctional facility at 1,844.

    They, however, noted that six of the fleeing inmates voluntarily returned to the facility while 35 others refused to escape from custody.

    The incident was condemned by the Federal Government and the state government, as well as various individuals and groups in the country.

  • Only 10 inmates escaped from Edo prison on New Year Day – Police

    Only 10 inmates escaped from Edo prison on New Year Day – Police

    The Edo State Police Command has reacted to viral publications suggesting that hundreds of suspected armed robbers and kidnappers escaped from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) facility.

    Police spokesman, SP Chidi Nwabuzor in a communique on Monday said only ten suspects escaped the facility on the 1st of January, 2021 at about 2.45am.

    According to the police image-maker, two escapees have been re-arrested and brought back to custody.

    SP Nwabuzor held that the figures in the media are maliciously and falsely speculated.

    According to him, “eight (8) of the suspects were detained on the order of the court, in summary; stealing – 1, Murder- 1, Cultism-3, Robbery-3, while the other two (2) were under Police investigation for stealing.”

    He further stated that the quick mobilization and response of officers curbed further escape of the suspects.

    The PRO also noted that the policemen who failed to ensure that the escapees remained behind bars, have been identified, arrested, and detained for departmental disciplinary process, even as efforts are being intensified to re-arrest the fleeing suspects.

    “The command has the wherewithal/intelligence to re-arrest the remaining suspects who are on the run but will still appreciate any useful information from the members of the public as no stone will be left unturned in assuring that all those suspects are re-arrested.

    “The Command assures members of the public of its continued commitment to protecting lives and property of law-abiding citizens,” SP Nwabuzor stated.

  • Inmates escape from Calabar prison

    Inmates escape from Calabar prison

    Some armed robbery and kidnap suspects have escaped from custody at the Cross River Police Command headquarters at Diamond Hill, Calabar, the state capital.

    DSP Irene Ugbo, the Cross River State Police Command Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident on Monday.

    Although, there was speculation that 19 suspects escaped, Ugbo insisted only three escaped.

    She said, “Only three escaped. Two of them were gunned down while one was rearrested.

    “The girlfriend of one of the suspects procured the saw which was used to cut the lock before they escaped.”

    Following the incident which happened on Sunday night, a source said, “The station guard and some other officers are being detained.”

    More details soon…

  • Jailbreak: Edo extends ultimatum to fleeing inmates

    Jailbreak: Edo extends ultimatum to fleeing inmates

    The ultimatum to fleeing inmates of two correctional centres in Benin, the Edo State capital to return has been extended by one week.

    They now have up till October 30 to return as against Friday when the initial ultimatum expired.

    Special Adviser to Edo Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, stated the extension was outcome of a meeting between Governor Godwin Obaseki and heads of security agencies in the state.

    He noted extension of the ultimatum was as a result of the positive response from the prisoners.

    He claimed a good number of the fleeing 1,993 inmates had returned to the two correctional centres.

    He pointed out the new window was to allow more prisoners to willingly return to the facilities.

    Osagie also revealed with the improving security situation in Edo, Governor Godwin Obaseki had reviewed the curfew from 6 pm to 6 am daily from Saturday instead of the 4 pm to 6 am belt.

    The media aide stated his boss appreciated Edo residents for strictly adhering to the directives on the curfew.

    Osagie also assured Obaseki was committed to security of lives and property of Edo residents.

  • Hoodlums attack Correctional facility in Ondo, release 58 inmates

    Hoodlums attack Correctional facility in Ondo, release 58 inmates

    A total of 58 inmates were set free by inmates at the National Correctional Service centre in Okitipupa, headquarters of Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    The hoodlums also torched local government secretariat, two police stations and INEC office in the area.

    One vehicle within the correctional centre premises in was burnt while other items were destroyed.

    Spokesman for the Ondo State Command of the NCS, Barr. Ogundare Babatunde who confirmed the incident said the hoodlums stormed the centre at about 10.30am.

    He said they were overwhelmed.

    His words, “When they first came, the security agencies around appealed to them not to carry out the attack, so they went back but later they reinforced, over a thousand of them, overwhelmed the soldiers and the NSCDC officer who are trying to stop them.

    “They broke the wall of the place, they broke into four out of the six cells and burnt them down. They set ablaze the van on the premises and some of our machines were destroyed. They also forcefully released all the 58 inmates.”

    He said the command has begun making efforts to capture the fleeing inmates.

  • Edo jail break: Obaseki speaks tough, issues ultimatum for fleeing inmates to return to facility

    Edo jail break: Obaseki speaks tough, issues ultimatum for fleeing inmates to return to facility

    Governor Godwin Obaseki on Wednesday issued a stern warning and an ultimatum to fleeing inmates of the Benin Custodial Centre on Sapele road and the Oko Maximum Security Correctional Centre on Airport road to return to the prisons before Friday, Oct. 23, 2020.

    He gave the ultimatum while inspecting the correctional centres and the police facilities destroyed by hoodlums in Benin.

    Obaseki was accompanied on the inspection of the destroyed facilities by the deputy governor Philip Shaibu, Secretary to State Government, Osarodion Ogie, Chief of staff Ethan Ozamere, DIG Celestine Okoye, and Commissioner of Police Johnson Kokumo among others.

    According to him, the destruction was never in the spirit of EndSARS but an act carried out by criminal elements.

    “This is sheer criminality while the real protesters were focusing on the reform of our policing system and not to destroy government property, destroy prisons, and release inmates.

    “We condemn the act wholeheartedly and we expect that even the EndSARS protesters would join us in condemning this dastardly act.

    “The government cannot sit down and fold its arms to allow the breakdown of law and order in our society because everybody would be affected.

    “Having undertaken the assessment and seen the extent of destruction that has taken place, we would now move swiftly into action.

    “Fortunately, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, understanding the gravity of what has happened in Edo has asked the DIG of Police, Celestine Okoye, to come to Benin to put the situation under control.

    “We are also fortunate that the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces has allowed the military to join the Police in stabilising the situation to bring things under control.

    “What we have a problem with are hooliganism and sheer brigandage and that we will not accept or tolerate in Edo State,” he said.

    The governor told all the fleeing inmates to come back on their own before the close of business on Friday.

    “If they come in and go to the Nigeria Police Force Command headquarters in Benin nothing will be done to them,” he added.

    ”Those who do not return after Friday night, we have all their records, we have their biometrics, appropriate sanctions will be meted out against them.

  • #EndSARS: 1,993 inmates escaped, weapons looted in Edo jailbreaks – Ministry

    #EndSARS: 1,993 inmates escaped, weapons looted in Edo jailbreaks – Ministry

    The Federal Ministry of Interior said 1,993 inmates escaped when the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCOs custodial centres in Benin City and Oko in Edo State were attacked on Monday by protesters purportedly under the #ENDSARS aegis.

    Mohammed Manga, Director, Press & Public Relations, Ministry of Interior who said this in a statement on Tuesday also added that the attackers also looted the weapons in the armories of the two custodial centres among other items.

    Speaking on how the two custodial centres were attacked, the Ministry in the statement said, “They came in large number, bearing dangerous weapons and attacked the officers on guard duty. They were unmistakable on their mission, which was to force the cells open, free the inmates and carry out other nefarious activities.”

    The Ministry however said the situation has been brought under control while security in and around the custodial centres nationwide has been beefed up.

    It also added that investigation has commenced to determine the full impact of the attack.

    The Ministry noted that while peaceful protest is legitimate and guaranteed as a fundamental right of citizens, operating as individuals and groups, attacking a custodial centre is a criminal act which detracts from the advertised objectives of the movement and capable of imputing impure motives to its drivers.

    “It must be reiterated that the custodial centres are high security zones. The primary duty of the institution is to keep custody of convicted criminals and awaiting trial suspects; this comes before their reformation. It is integral to the justice administration system.

    “The integrity of the custodial centres is therefore fundamental to justice. Inmates of the centres are expected to pay their dues to society, undergo reformation and be reintegrated into society as changed-for-better persons. When this process is disrupted in any way, the integrity of justice and societal renewal is subverted, with dire and unimaginable consequences.

    “Most of the inmates held at the centres are convicted criminals serving terms for various criminal offences, awaiting execution or standing trial for violent crimes. Their being let loose gravely imperils lives and property. It is an unacceptable and intolerable threat to national and communal security. Government’s primary duty is to protect lives and property and keep the people safe. We shall not be shirking in our responsibility and we shall not disappoint the people.

    “We urge the #ENDSARS protesters to remain peaceful, embrace dialogue, screen their rank and file and flush out those with criminal intents and, more importantly, steer clear of the custodial centres.

    “This is to assure Nigerians, especially Edo State residents, that in conjunction with other security agencies, we have commenced the tracking and apprehension of all the escaped inmates before they do any harm. Anyone who notices any person or persons that might have escaped from the custodial centres should, as a patriotic duty, inform the nearest security agency.”

  • 17 inmates, 51 health workers test positive for COVID-19 in Bauchi

    17 inmates, 51 health workers test positive for COVID-19 in Bauchi

    The coronavirus has spread to the Bauchi correctional facility, with 17 inmates now infected.

    Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA) said.

    Mohammed is also the chairman of Bauchi State Contact Tracing Committee on COVID-19.

    In an update of the virus situation in the state, Mohammed also said that 51 medical officers have tested positive.

    He said one of the medical personnel died of the virus, in the line of duty.

    He said an isolation centre had been established in the correctional facility.

    He advised health workers in the state to be very vigilant.

    He asked them to ensure that they properly make use of their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times.

    He said that the state government was conducting an active community search.

    This is being done by taking samples from members of the communities for testing.

    “We are engaged in massive community search, trying to take samples of members of the communities,’’ said the BASPHCDA boss.

    Bauchi state had so far recorded 402 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

    Two hundred and thirty of the cases have been discharged.

    There had been 11 deaths, while 161 patients are on admission.