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Tag: Jailbreak

  • Jail breach update: One of seven escaped Ilesha inmates re-arrested in Lagos

    Jail breach update: One of seven escaped Ilesha inmates re-arrested in Lagos

    Kabiru Oyedun, one of the seven inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesha, Osun State, has been nabbed by the police in Lagos.

    Oyedun, who had been remanded at the Ilesha facility on charges of murder, was captured on Wednesday evening in the Ayobo area of Lagos.

    This development was confirmed on Friday by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin. According to Hundeyin, the 39-year-old fugitive was apprehended at approximately 5:30 p.m. by officers from the Ayobo Division, following coordinated intelligence efforts.

    “Yes, Kabiru Oyedun, male, aged 39, was successfully rearrested after fleeing the Ilesa Correctional Centre,” Hundeyin stated in a message to FIJ. “He was tracked and arrested in the Ayobo area on May 21, 2025, at around 5:30 p.m. This was made possible through the proactive and strategic security operations put in place by the Lagos State Police Command to block any infiltration by criminals into the state.”

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) also confirmed the recapture. Its spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, told FIJ on Friday morning that while the arrest had been made, the Service would release an official statement once Oyedun was transferred back into their custody.

    “We are aware that one of the escapees has been rearrested thanks to a collaborative effort between the Correctional Service and other security agencies,” Umar said. “An official statement will be issued once he is safely back in our custody. We ask for a little more patience until this process is completed.”

    Escape Triggered by Heavy Rainfall

    The jailbreak occurred in the early hours of Tuesday following a heavy downpour that caused a section of the prison’s perimeter wall to collapse, allowing the inmates to escape undetected around 2 a.m.

    In response to the incident, the NCoS announced on Wednesday a N5 million reward for anyone who provides credible information leading to the capture of the escapees.

    “To ensure public involvement in the recapture effort, the Nigerian Correctional Service is offering a N5 million reward for actionable information that results in the arrest of any of the seven fugitives who escaped from the Ilesha Medium Custodial Centre,” the Service announced.

    Authorities continue to search for the remaining escapees and have urged the public to report any suspicious activity or sightings to law enforcement.

  • Kogi Jailbreak: FG recaptures 5 escapee inmates

    Kogi Jailbreak: FG recaptures 5 escapee inmates

    The Federal Government said it has recaptured five of 12 inmates who escaped from lawful custody during Monday’s jailbreak at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Koton Karfe, Kogi state.

    Spokesman of the Nigerian Correctional Service NCoS, DCC Abubakar Umar in a statement said the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday 24th March 2024.

    He said during the unfortunate incident, some inmates in a section of the facility manipulated the padlocks, leading to the escape of 12 inmates.

    “Upon receiving reports of the attack, the Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche MFR, mni, in collaboration with heads of sister security agencies including the SSA to the Governor of Kogi State immediately mobilized to the facility, and personnel were deployed to secure the facility, restore order, and initiate a manhunt for the escapees.

    “As of this moment, 5 of the fleeing inmates have been recaptured, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining inmates and bring them to justice”, he stated.

    According to him, the Acting Controller General of Corrections has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escapes.

    “Additionally, a security audit is being conducted across all correctional facilities nationwide to prevent future occurrences.

    “The Service urges members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing any useful information that may assist in the recapture of those still at large. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.

    “The Service assures Nigerians that the safety of custodial centres remains a top priority, and measures are being reinforced to strengthen security across all facilities. The NCoS remains committed to ensuring that correctional facilities fulfil their mandate of safe custody, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates”, the service added.

  • FG demands immediate probe of Kogi jailbreak

    FG demands immediate probe of Kogi jailbreak

    The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an immediate investigation into the jailbreak at the Koton Karfe Correctional Centre in Kogi State.

    The minister described the incident as “unfortunate” and assured Nigerians that all escaped inmates would be recaptured using advanced biometric technology and other security measures.

    In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media, Babatunde Alao, Tunji-Ojo emphasised the government’s determination to uncover the circumstances surrounding the prison break.

    He also directed the Acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi, to visit the facility and conduct a comprehensive security audit.

    “We are on top of the situation. Our men are on ground in Kogi, and I have ordered a comprehensive audit of the situation,” the minister stated.

    He further assured Nigerians that the authorities would leave no stone unturned in tracking down the fleeing inmates.

    “All necessary measures, including our robust biometric database and existing technology solutions, will be deployed to recapture every escaped inmate,” he added.

    In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Tunji-Ojo reiterated his commitment to ensuring accountability within the correctional system.

    “The jailbreak at Koton Karfe is unfortunate, but we will get to the root of it. We will not allow breaches like this to go unchecked. Every fugitive will be found and brought to justice,” he wrote.

    Meanwhile, the minister assured the public of strengthened security at correctional facilities across the country to prevent future occurrences.

    He reaffirmed that the Nigerian Correctional Service would be held accountable for lapses and that corrective measures would be swiftly implemented.

    The Koton Karfe jailbreak is the latest in a series of prison security breaches in Nigeria, raising concerns over the safety and management of correctional facilities.

    However, Tunji-Ojo maintained that his ministry is committed to enforcing stricter security measures.

  • Police fortify Kwara in aftermath of jailbreak in Niger State

    Police fortify Kwara in aftermath of jailbreak in Niger State

    The Police Command in Kwara has reinforced security measures, deployed additional manpower to key locations in response to a recent jail break in neighbouring Niger State.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Command Spokesperson, DSP. Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Sunday in Ilorin.

    She said that the command is working closely with the relevant agencies to ensure the safety and security of the state.

    “On the 24th of April, 2024, there was a heavy rainstorm which occurred at night and extensively damaged part of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, leading to the escape of 118 inmates.

    “The breach in the perimeter fence caused by the downpour facilitated the escape, as reported by an official of the Nigeria Correctional Service, ACC Abubakar Umar.

    “In response to this incident, the Nigerian Correctional Service promptly activated its recapturing protocols and so far has successfully recovered 13 of the escaped inmates. Collaborative efforts with other security agencies are ongoing to recapture the 105 fleeing inmates.

    “As a neighbouring state, the Kwara state police are fully aware of the security implications of such an incident, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya, has assured that the command is on high alert and is working closely with the relevant agencies to ensure the safety and security of our state.

    Ejire-Adeyemi quoted CP Olaiya as assuring the public that adequate measures have been put in place to prevent any attempt by the escaped inmates to enter or cause harm within the State.

    “Patrols have been intensified along the border areas, and surveillance has been increased in vulnerable locations.

    “We urge all citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.

    “Together, we can maintain peace and security in our communities.

    “The Kwara State Police Command remains committed to its mandate of protecting lives and property and assures the citizens of its readiness to respond swiftly to any security challenges,” Olaiya added.

    According to Ejire-Adeyemi, the command control room is available 24/7 everyday of the week, urging residents  to please call any of the numbers if they notice any suspicious person(s) or movements on the numbers –  07032069501 or 08125275046.

  • JAILBREAK: Court sentences notorious kidnap kingpin, Wadume to seven years imprisonment

    JAILBREAK: Court sentences notorious kidnap kingpin, Wadume to seven years imprisonment

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced suspected kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Bala, aka Wadume, to seven years imprisonment.

     

    Wadume was convicted of escaping from lawful custody and unlawfully dealing in prohibited firearms.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Wadume, a suspected Nigerian kidnap for ransom kingpin, based in Taraba State but operated across Northeast, was arrested in August 2019 by the Nigerian Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

     

    Justice Binta Nyako convicted Wadume on counts two and 10 of the 13-count charge brought against him and six others by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on behalf of the Federal Government.

     

    Other defendants in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/30/2020 are: Aliyu Dadje (a police inspector), Auwalu Bala (aka omo razor), Uba Bala (aka Uba Delu), Bashir Wazlri (aka baba runs), Zubairu Abdullahi (aka Basho) and Rayyanu Abdul.

     

    Justice Nyako, in the judgment delivered on July 22 this year, upheld the case of the prosecution team, which included Labaran Magaji and Mrs. Yetunde Cole, as it relates to five out of the seven defendants.

     

    Justice Nyako also convicted and sentenced Inspector Dadje to three years on count seven, in which he was accused of tampering with police record to conceal a crime.

     

    Dadje, who was a Station Officer at the Ibi Divisional Police Headquarters, Ibi Local Government Area, Taraba State was said to have, in August 2019, “willfully tampered with the entry made by the leader of the IGP IRT team, Inspector Felix Adolije, by tearing off the entry page to cover up for Captain Tijani Ahmed Balarabe and his team” upon knowing that an offence of terrorism had been committed by Capt. Balarabe and his team, who attacked and killed three members of the IGP IRT team and two civilians who were in Ibi, Taraba State to make lawful arrest.

     

    Justice Nyako equally convicted and sentenced Uba Bala (aka Uba Delu) and Zubairu Abdullahi (aka Basho) to seven years each on counts three, four, five, six and 11.

     

    The duo, in the four counts, were charged with illegal possession and unlawful dealing in prohibited firearms and ammunition.

     

    Justice Nyako also convicted and sentenced Abdul to three years for harbouring Wadume in his house in Kano after Wadume’s escape from police custody in Ibi.

     

    The judge struck out count one, in which Wadume was charged with kidnaping Usman Garba (aka Mayo) and collecting N106million before releasing him.

     

    She however discharged and acquitted Auwalu Bala (aka Omo Razor) and Bashir Wazlri (aka Baba Runs), who were listed as the 3rd and 5th defendants, for want of evidence.

  • Group urge Fani-Kayode to proffer solution to security challenges

    Group urge Fani-Kayode to proffer solution to security challenges

    A pro-democracy group, the National Democratic Alliance has advised former Minister of Aviation, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, to proffer solutions and not escalate current security challenges with unguarded utterances.

    The group gave the advice in a statement issued by its Secretary, Biodun Olajumoke, on Sunday in Abuja.

    Olajumoke recalled that Fani-Kayode recently heaped blame on military hierarchy over insecurity in the country in a video recording following some terrorists’ attacks.

    He stated that the former minister alleged that while young and junior officers were doing their best in the battlefield, senior commanders were doing nothing.

    Fani-Kayode also alleged that it was becoming “increasingly difficult to comprehend the glaring incompetence and lack of patriotism, professionalism, diligence and courage of the leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces’’.

    Reacting to the video, Olajumoke accused Fani-Kayode of expressing frustration over the loyalty and total submission of the military under Gen. Lucky Irabor, to constitute authority.

    According to him, rather than proffer solutions to security challenges, the video by Fani-Kayode smacks of deliberate efforts to cause more confusion and heighten tension in the polity.

    He charged that Fani-Kayode was not unaware that political tension was one of the causes of the security challenges.

    The secretary urged Fani-Kayode to proffer genuine solutions to the crisis, adding that all military personnel, whether young, junior soldiers and officers or senior officers had been victims of the security challenges.

    According to him, what the nation needs now is to support the military to defeat the enemy and not to castigate or instigate military personnel against one other.

  • Jailbreak: Police recapture fleeing Boko Haram terrorist

    Jailbreak: Police recapture fleeing Boko Haram terrorist

    One of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists who escaped from Kuje correctional center, Hassan Hassan has been recaptured by the police in Nasarawa state.

    Recall that terrorists on Wednesday attacked the Kuje medium custodial center and freed over 800 inmates including members of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP).

    Following the jailbreak, the  Federal Government on Friday declared that 64 of the inmates who had terror-related charges wanted with their names and other details published.

    The Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel said the Boko Haram escapee was captured in the early hours of Saturday.

    Nansel said  “Sequel to the attack on Kuje Maximum Custodial Centre and subsequent escape of inmates, on July 9th, 2022 at about 0130hrs, one Hassan Hassan ‘M’ whose name and picture was amongst the escaped inmates with Boko Haram/Terrorism Case was recaptured by the Eagle-eyed Police operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command at Keffi.

    “The Commissioner of Police, CP Adesina Soyemi has ordered for the transfer of the suspect to a safer location while an intensive search for other escapees and handing over process of the arrested inmate progresses.

    “The Commissioner of Police, however, appreciated the efforts of the Police operatives for a job well done and assured members of the public of the Command’s unrelenting efforts at making the public space safer for all”.

    The Federal Government has launched a manhunt for the remaining fleeing terrorists who escaped after the Kuje correctional center jailbreak.

  • Analysis: How 6,117 inmates escaped from Nigerian prisons in the last 2 years

    Analysis: How 6,117 inmates escaped from Nigerian prisons in the last 2 years

    Residents of Abuja were left in shock on Tuesday July 5, when armed men numbering about 200 broke into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, which is Nigeria’s number one prison facility, leading to the escape of 879 inmates.

    The attackers, as in previous jailbreaks, used explosive devices to gain access into the facility, killing a personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the Centre and leaving three others seriously injured.

    Spokesman of the Service Abubakar Umar, a Chief Superintendent, disclosed on Tuesday that statement added that 443 of the escapees had been recaptured and efforts were ongoing to recapture all fleeing inmates.

    “The Service will deploy its Corrections Information Management System (CIMS) in synergy with National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to track all fleeing inmates and return them to custody.

    “This is also to confirm to the general public that DCP Abba Kyari and other VIPs held in the facility did not escape. They are presently in custody, hale and hearty,” Umar said.

    However, a prisons officer who does not want to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the press, told TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) that the successful attack launched on the Nigeria’s number prison facility was a huge embarrassment to the country.

    “Federal Government failed. There is no security gadget there (Kuje prison). That is where they keep hardened criminals and big men; they are supposed to have machine guns, armoured tanks and infrared Aerial cameras in the community.

    “That way, before those over 150 people would enter Kuje to march to the prison, they would have been detected,” our source said.

    The Kuje prison break is the first this year and eighth successful jailbreak attempt since 2020, TNG’s analysis show.

    The federal government has confirmed that 1, 397 escaped prisoners have been recaptured, but the majority 4, 720 of them are still at large.

    Nigeria’s Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, has said that “the state is a patient bird” and that these prisoners can only run but cannot hide. You can run but you can never hide as the state would track and rearrest them through the use of biometrics.

    However, it remains to be seen how the government would actualise this plan in a country where data management remains a challenge and the public sector that is still largely manual in operations.

    A security expert Chimezie Okafor, blamed the frequent jail-breaks in the country on congestion of correctional centres and corruption evidenced by the lack of sophisticated military equipment for the military, despite increasing budgetary allocations for security.

    “We were told that soldiers, police and civil defence officers were withdrawn from the prison shortly before the attack. If this is so we should be asking who gave the orders for them to be withdrawn,” Okafor stated.

    In the same vein, many Nigerians believe the Kuje jailbreak was staged to release Boko Haram terrorists in exchange for scores of train passengers abducted on March 28, when bandits attacked the train close to Kaduna.

    In April, the bandits had demanded the release of 16 top commanders and sponsors in government custody in exchange for the release of the passengers.

    The Islamic State West Africa Province claimed responsibility for the attack in a 30-second video which showed the gunmen setting ablaze vehicles parked in the facility.

  • Gov Akeredolu raises alarm of looming jail breaks in Ondo

    Gov Akeredolu raises alarm of looming jail breaks in Ondo

    Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has lamented the withdrawal of soldiers from correctional centers, saying the action Is to induce jailbreaks in the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Akeredolu raised the alarm in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde.

    The statement followed a full briefing on the situation the Governor received from the Commissioner of Police, Oyediran Oyeyemi.

    Akeredolu wondered why soldiers would be withdrawn from correctional centers, which belong to the Federal Government, expressing worries that the action could encourage jailbreak.

    “Last night, Governor Akeredolu received reports from the Commissioner of Police in the state that soldiers attached to the correctional centers in the state have all been withdrawn.

    “This development came as a surprise, considering the fact that both the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Correctional Centers belong to the Federal Government.

    “The Governor was more bothered about the overflow effect of the soldiers withdrawal on the security situation in the state. More so that such action could easily encourage jail breaks across the state.

    “It is, however, pertinent to alert members of the public and the Federal Government of this unwholesome situation. Findings into the remote cause of this action has only revealed that it was an order from above without corresponding details.

    “The situation not withstanding, proactive efforts have been made to secure these centers so as not to allow premeditated jail breaks as whoever gave order to withdraw those soldiers was in the process of encouraging such,” the statement reads.

    Meanwhile, Governor Akeredolu has met with other security heads in the state, particularly the Police and charged them to take over their responsibility of internal security in the state.

    “While we believe that the Federal Government has a duty to protect the prisons, we are more concerned about the security of our people across the state. A jail break will not only threaten the peaceful atmosphere we are enjoying in the state, it will pose serious danger to our people.

    “Governor Akeredolu has met with the security heads and the Police has since last night taken up their responsibility of internal security by deploying armed Police officers to these correctional centers.

    “Similarly, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) whose main assignment is to secure Federal Government facilities, has also deployed armed officers to the correctional facilities.

    “Governor Akeredolu has also directed the deployment of men of the State Security Network (Amotekun) to complement the Police and the NSCDC. This is to ensure that any premeditated action is tamed and resisted with commensurate force,” the statement added.

  • Akeredolu condemns withdrawal of soldiers from correctional centers in Ondo

    Akeredolu condemns withdrawal of soldiers from correctional centers in Ondo

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Wednesday in Akure condemned the withdrawal of men of the Nigerian Army from correctional centres in the state.

    He said in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, that the action could induce jailbreaks.

    “Last night, Gov. Akeredolu received reports from the Commissioner of Police in the state, Oyediran Oyeyemi, that soldiers attached to the correctional centres in the state have all been withdrawn.

    “This development came as a surprise considering the fact that both the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Correctional Service belong to the Federal Government.

    “The governor was more bothered about the overflow effect of the soldiers’ withdrawal on the security situation in the state. More so that such action could easily encourage jailbreaks across the state.

    “It is, however, pertinent to alert members of the public and the Federal Government of this unwholesome situation.

    “The situation notwithstanding, proactive efforts have been made to secure these centres so as not to allow premeditated jailbreaks,’’ the statement read.

    It added that Gov. Akeredolu, who received full briefing on the situation, had met with heads of other security agencies in the state and deployed armed police officers to the correctional centres.

    “Similarly, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) whose main assignment is to secure Federal Government facilities, has also deployed armed officers to the correctional facilities.

    “Akeredolu has also directed the deployment of men of the State Security Network (Amotekun) to complement the Police and the NSCDC.

    “While we believe that the Federal Government has a duty to protect the prisons, we are more concerned about the security of our people across the state.

    “A jailbreak will not only threaten the peaceful atmosphere we are enjoying in the state, it will pose serious danger to our people.