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Tag: Kuje Prison

  • Tinubu urges FG to go after Kuje Prison attackers

    Tinubu urges FG to go after Kuje Prison attackers

    Sen. Bola Tinubu, All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 presidential candidate, has called on relevant authorities to go after Tuesday’s attackers of Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Tinubu who is also one of the leaders of the APC, made the call in a statement by his Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman, in Abuja.

    He particularly condemned the terrorists attack on the centre, saying that the incessant terror attacks plaguing the country was worrisome.

    The former two-term Lagos State governor, while calling on Nigerians to remain vigilant and united behind constituted authorities, said fleeing inmates from the facility must be re-arrested and returned to the facility.

    “These incessant attacks on government’s institutions and innocent citizens are a sad reminder that we still have a lot to do to put these evil forces in check.”

    He condemned the dastardly attack, urging the government to immediately go after the attackers and fleeing inmates of the facility.

    While calling for full investigation of the incident and the possible failure to act on intelligence, Tinubu said Nigerians must all remain vigilant and united.

    He added that the moment called for national unity and deep introspection.
    He, however, said that Nigerians should continue to support the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in its battle against insurgents and determination to confront agents of darkness.

    He commiserated with the families and relations of those who lost their lives in the attack and called on government to continue to provide succor and medical attention to those injured.

    Newsmen recalled that the facility’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Abubakar Umar, had in a statement, said four inmates died in the attack while 16 sustained injuries and were being treated.

    A security personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), drafted to the centre was also shot dead by the attackers who stormed the facility through the fence and main entrance, using explosive devices.

    Umar said 879 inmates escaped from the facility out of which 443 had been recaptured while efforts were ongoing to get all fleeing inmates.

    About 24 hours after the incident, a terrorist group, Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP), claimed responsibility for the attack.

    In a video shared by the terrorist group on Wednesday, many of the inmates were seen fleeing the prison.

    Umar assured that the service would deploy its Corrections Information Management System (CIMS) in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission, (NIMC) to track all fleeing inmates and return them to custody

  • Buhari receives update on Kuje prison terrorist attack

    Buhari receives update on Kuje prison terrorist attack

    President Muhammadu Buhari has received a briefing from security chiefs on the latest development on Tuesday’s terrorist attack on Kuje Custodial Centre.

    Confirming this to State House correspondents after the meeting of the National Security Council, presided over by the president on Friday in the State House, Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, said heads of security agencies briefed the president on what actually happened in Kuje and the way forward.

    The minister quoted the president as directing the Armed Forces and other security agencies to take the necessary action towards ensuring that such incidents do not happen again.

    He said: “The President was deeply concerned about these developments and he initiated today’s meeting, to enable security agencies, service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, to brief the Council on what actually happened and the way forward.

    “The Service Chiefs have been given very clear directives to ensure that adequate measures are taken not only to investigate what happened but also to take steps to forestall the occurrence of such incidents.

    “We had a very successful meeting and the meeting has agreed to take proactive measures that will ensure that a repeat of what happened these few days will not be witnessed anymore.”

    Dingyadi assured Nigerians of a full scale investigation into the attack, as he solicited for their support in fighting all forms of criminality.

    “The President is surprised that what happened in Kuje actually took place in spite of all the security arrangements that have been made to ensure that such an incident does not happen.

    “We are assuring the nation and Nigerians in general, that arrangements have been made to ensure that full investigations are carried out and to ensure that a repeat of the incidents will not occur.

    “We call on Nigerians to continue to support the federal government in the effort to ensure that we fight criminalities to finish and to ensure that this country is brought back to normalcy in a more secure and a more peaceful atmosphere,” he said.

    According to him, the government and its security agencies are committed to ensuring that there is peace and tranquility as Nigeria moves towards the 2023 general election.

  • Kuje prison break: NCoS releases full list of 69 fleeing inmates

    Kuje prison break: NCoS releases full list of 69 fleeing inmates

    The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has released the names of the 69 inmates who escaped from the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja during the Tuesday night attack by terrorists.

    The Service has accordingly declared the 69 suspects wanted and appealed to the public to volunteer information that could lead to their recapture.

    See full list of 69 fleeing Kuje inmates below:

    1. Abdulkareem Musa
    2. Abdusalami Adamu
    3. Abubakar Abdulrahman Habibu
    4. Abubakar Mohammed Sadiq
    5. Abubakar Mohammed
    6. Abubakar Yusuf
    7. Adam Lawal Muhammad
    8. Akibu Musa Danjuma
    9. Amodu Omale Salihu
    10. Bello Haruna
    11. Bilyaminu Usman
    12. Bukar Ali
    13. Ibrahim Mohammed
    14. Ikya Abur
    15. Ismail Idris Abdullahi
    16. Modu Aji
    17. Mohammed Sani
    18. Musa Abubakar
    19. Mustapha Umar
    20. Ustapha Umar
    21. Shehu Abdullahi
    22. Suleiman Idi
    23. Suleiman Zacharia
    24. Sunday Micheal
    25. Yakubu Abdullahi
    26. Yasir Ibrahim Salihu
    27. Yunusa Mukaiya
    28. Abdulmannan Obadiki
    29. Abubakar Mohammed Musa
    30. Abubakar Umar
    31. Adamu Mohammed
    32. Ahmadu Hagola
    33. Asama Haruna Kanti
    34. Baluye Modu
    35. Bassey Victor Kingsley
    36. Diko Iko
    37. Alhaji Bukar
    38. Faruku Waziri
    39. Hassan Hassan
    40. Ibrahim Musa
    41. Idris Ojo
    42. Ishaq Farouk
    43. Mohammed Goni Kyari
    44. Mohammed Guja
    45. Mohammed Saleh Buba
    46. Mohammed Umar
    47. Mukhtar Ussaini Khalidu
    48. Musa Adamu
    49. Musa Umar
    50. Onyemire Asagba
    51. Rabiu Shaibu
    52. Sahabi Ismail
    53. Sani Mohammed
    54. Umar Ahmadu Ladan
    55. Usman Balarebe
    56. Yahaya Adamu Abubakar
    57. Yusuf Yakubu
    58. Abdulazeez Obadaki
    59. Auwal Abubakar
    60. Mansur Mohammed Usman
    61. Mohammed Abubakar
    62. Mohammed Jamiu Eneji Sani
    63. Muazu Abubakar
    64. Muhammed Sani Adamu
    65. Muktar Umar
    66. Nambil Zakari Gambo
    67. Sadiq Garba Abubakar
    68. Yazid Muhammed Usman
    69. Yusuf Ali Yusuf
  • FACT CHECK: Claim Turkey delisted Nigeria from countries eligible for e-visa after Kuje jailbreak false

    FACT CHECK: Claim Turkey delisted Nigeria from countries eligible for e-visa after Kuje jailbreak false

    Reports emerged Thursday that Nigerian visa applicants to the Republic of Turkey have been barred from accessing the e-visa provision and have instead been advised to apply through any Turkish Consulate.

    The reports attribute the ban to Tuesday’s Kuje jailbreak by members of the ISWAP terrorist group that freed 879 inmates.

    “Just in case you are planning to Japa (travel abroad) just know that the Kuje prison break has made the chances for you getting visa slim. Nigerians are no longer allowed to get e-visa to Turkey,” a twitter post claimed.

    Similar posts shared on facebook and Instagram attracted a lot of comments, with many saying that President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent trip to Istanbul had not helped to strengthen bilateral relations between both countries.

    HOW TRUE IS THIS CLAIM?

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) investigations show that in recent years, many governments have outsourced their visa processing to external partners.

    This has helped them to manage the increasing demand for visas in the age of booming international travel.

    As such, one of such partners in charge of processing Turkey visas is iVisa, an online application website that provides customers with a simple, fast, and reliable way to get travel documentation for their journey.

    This newspaper can confirm that the company is currently unable to process visa applications from Nigeria and other African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Ghana. However, these countries appear on the search list of nationalities.

    Applicants from the above named countries receive the following feedback message: “Travel Document Required. Currently, we cannot help you process this travel document. You will need to contact the embassy nearest you to get more information.”

    There has been no official announcement from Turkey on a revised e-visa requirement for Africans and applications through other visa processing partners do not face the same challenge.

    VERDICT

    MISLEADING: The claim that Turkey has delisted Nigeria from countries eligible for e-visa following the Kuje jailbreak is therefore false and should be disregarded by the public.

  • 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.

  • Kuje Prison Attack: ISWAP claims responsibility, releases video

    Kuje Prison Attack: ISWAP claims responsibility, releases video

    Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) has  claimed responsibility for the attacks on Kuje prison as they released footage of the hit on the medium Security Custodial Centre.

    Scores of terrorists invaded the prison at about 10 p.m. Tuesday night, operating for more than two hours.

    It was gathered that the attackers stormed the government establishment with bombs, grenades and assault weapons.

    In the footage, the insurgents could be heard rejoicing after breaching the facility; some vehicles are seen on fire.

    During the attack which began around 10:22 pm, the terrorists released 600 inmates, including 15 deadly Boko Haram commanders who masterminded the March 28 attack on the Kaduna-Abuja train at Katari, Kaduna, in which eight persons were killed and over 68 passengers kidnapped.

    The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed that said out of the inmates who escaped, 443 have been recaptured.

    Public Relations Officer, Umar Abubakar said 551 inmates are currently in the facility with 4 inmates dead and 16 injured.

    An officer of the NSCDC paid the ultimate price, while at least 8 NCoS officers were wounded.

    The Kuje attack came barely hours after a convoy of cars carrying the Advance Team of security guards, protocol and media officers ahead of the President’s trip to Daura for Sallah, came under a terrorist attack.

    The Islamic State’s West Africa Province is a militant group and administrative division of the Islamic State, a Salafi jihadist militant group and unrecognised proto-state. ISWAP is primarily active in the Chad Basin, and fights an extensive insurgency against the states of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

     

  • Terrorists group, ISWAP releases video of attack on Kuje Prisons

    Terrorists group, ISWAP releases video of attack on Kuje Prisons

    The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for the attack on Kuje Prison in Abuja.

    Recall that suspected gunmen broke into the prison, on Tuesday night, and released over 800 inmates, including high-profile suspects.

    In a video footage released by ISWAP, the terrorist sect showed some of its men shooting their way into the facility.

    Tens of fighters were seen marching in groups while vehicles and building were on fire in the 38 seconds video.

    An elderly man dressed in a native attire also joined the young men who were shouting on top of their voices.

    The Islamic State’s A’maq Agency released the video with the caption: “Fighters of Islamic State attacked Kuje prison in Abuja yesterday and succeeded in freeing dozens of prisoners.”

    The words were written in Arabic.

    https://twitter.com/Murtalaibin/status/1544764707042742281

    When he visited the prison on Wednesday morning, Bashir Magashi, Minister of Defence, said the attackers headed towards the direction where Boko Haram suspects were kept.

    Magashi said after the attack none of the 64 Boko Haram suspects in custody could be located.

    “The prison is accommodating about 994 inmates and over 600 escaped. Many people have been recaptured and brought back to the prison. Maybe by the close of the day, more will have been captured and returned.”

    “I think everything is under control. The people who came to do this activity, from the records, we believe they belong to a particular group. Most likely, they are Boko Haram members because we have sizeable number of Boko Haram suspects in detention, and presently we cannot locate any of them. I think they are about 64 in the prison and none of them now is available they have all escaped,” he had said.

    Shortly before his trip to Senegal, President Muhammadu Buhari toured the scene of the attack, where he expressed disappointment with the intelligence system.

    “I am disappointed with the intelligence system. How can terrorists organise, have weapons, attack a security installation and get away with it? How did the defences at the prison fail to prevent the attack? How many inmates were in the facility? How many of them can you account for? How many personnel did you have on duty? How many of them were armed? Were there guards on the watchtower? What did they do? Does the CCTV work?” Buhari was quoted to have asked, while demanding a full report of the incident.

  • Buhari will not cancel his trip to Senegal – Presidency

    Buhari will not cancel his trip to Senegal – Presidency

    In the wake of the suspected Boko Haram terrorists attack on the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, the presidency has said President Muhammadu Buhari will not cancel his trip to Senegal.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the presidency as saying Buhari cancelling his trip to Senegal means the terrorists are successful in calling the shots, something, the presidency said no responsible government in the world will allow.

    The presidency made this known in a statement released by Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu, following the president’s visit to the prison facility.

    “The Presidency wishes to use this opportunity to react to mounting criticism of the trip to Dakar, Senegal by the President, and to stress that Governments don’t stop working because nations face terrorist threats. To cancel the trip to Senegal would mean that the terrorists are successful in calling the shots, something that no responsible government in the world will allow,” the statement reads.

    During the visit Buhari queried why the intelligence and defence systems around the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje failed to work.

  • Kuje jailbreak: President Buhari queries prison’s intelligence

    Kuje jailbreak: President Buhari queries prison’s intelligence

    President Muhammadu Buhari has queried why the intelligence and defence systems around the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje failed to work after suspected Boko Haram terrorists successfully attacked the prison facility.

    According to a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Buhari, like most Nigerians, was shocked by both the scale and audacity of the attack.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari on Wednesday visited the facility, spending about 30 minutes there, according to Garba Shehu.

    “Soon after he arrived, he was briefed about the attack by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Mohammad Lamido Belgore and the Controller General of Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, showing him the bombed-out section used to access first, and the records office which was set on fire, adding that the invaders thereafter launched an attack on all cells in which Boko Haram terrorists were held.

    “The President was apprised that, at the end of it, none of the 63 terrorists are accounted for, but it was emphasized that records are not lost because they have been backed up.

    “President Buhari, who, like most Nigerians was shocked by both the scale and audacity of the attack queried: “How did the defences at the prison fail to prevent the attack? How many inmates were in the facility?

    “How many of them can you account for? How many personnel did you have on duty? How many of them were armed? Were there guards on the watchtower? What did they do? Does the CCTV work?,” Buhari queried.

    The President was also informed that the security forces have recaptured 350 of the escapees while about 450 others are still unaccounted for, and that rapid work is under way to recapture the rest.

    After inspecting some of the points impacted by the attack, President Buhari spoke to newsmen, expressing disappointment with the intelligence system (and utilization).

    “I am disappointed with the intelligence system. How can terrorists organize, have weapons, attack a security installation and get away with it,” he said.

    The President, accompanied by Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff, said at the end of the visit that he is expecting “a comprehensive report” on the incident.

  • JUST IN: President Buhari visits Kuje prison

    JUST IN: President Buhari visits Kuje prison

    President Muhammadu Buhari visited the Kuje Custodial Centre in the federal capital territory (FCT) on Wednesday, following a suspected Boko Haram attack on the correctional facility.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari was received by the Inspector General of Police IGP Usman Baba Alkali, paramilitary service chiefs among other top government officials at the facility.

    However, the details of the President’s visit to the prison are still sketchy at the time of filing this report. It may not be unconnected to an on-the-spot assessment of the facility.

    Meanwhile, security has been tightened in most parts of Kuje communities. A correspondent, who went around the area, observed heavy security presence with fierce-looking armed personnel in areas considered as flash points.

    Armoured tanks have been positioned around Kuje Prison junction, while various teams of security personnel in siren-blaring vehicles patrol the area.

    The Police, in conjunction with other security operatives, have cordoned off the roads leading to the prison area and movements have been restricted in the area.

    Police helicopters were seen flying above the area as banks and some schools remained closed due to the tension in the area. Other security agents are also on red alert to forestall any breach of peace.

    Residents leaving close to the area said heavy gunshots which started at about 10 p.m. lasted close to an hour.

    Four inmates died and 879 others escaped during the attack carried out on Tuesday night at about 10:30 pm.

    A statement signed by the prison’s spokesman, Abubakar Umar said some inmates had returned voluntarily but 443 inmates were still missing.

    Earlier Defense Minister, Bashir Magashi said 64 Boko Haram members detained in the facility escaped.

    The attack comes hours after gunmen in Katsina ambushed President Buhari’s convoy en route to Daura.

     

    Details shortly…