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Jailbreak: Suleja prisons built with mud over 100 years ago – Senate

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The Nigerian Senate has clarified the circumstances surrounding the reported jailbreak at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, attributing it to the collapse of the prison wall, built over a century ago with mud bricks.

The incident, which occurred two weeks ago, led to the escape of 119 inmates.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, explained to journalists after a closed-door session with the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, that heavy rainfall and storms caused the dilapidated prison wall to collapse, allowing inmates to flee.

Tunji-Ojo, had, during his visit to the affected facility two weeks ago, disclosed that the government was planning to relocate some correctional centres to create better space, security and infrastructure.

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The Senate, on Tuesday, stated that efforts by the minister and the security agencies had helped in re-arresting some of the fugitives, and pledged that more would be tracked in the coming days.

Oshiomhole said: “I know exactly that this particular prison was built in 1914. I think that was the year of the amalgamation of southern and northern Nigeria for about 200 people. And they now have about 419 inmates. And some of these places were built with mud.

“So, it was not really a jailbreak. You had heavy rainfall, a storm, and then the wall fell, and then the roof, even if you were in your private house and it is raining and you have a storm and your roof is gone and your walls come down, will you remain in the place?

“So, naturally, people find an escape. The good news is that they have what it takes to retrack them. And they have already re-arrested some of them, and the effort is still ongoing to get the rest of the people.”

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Oshiomole further pointed out the need for modernisation of prison infrastructure, stressing that facilities built a hundred years ago are inadequate and do not meet modern standards.

He stated the importance of utilising modern technology to enhance prison security and functionality.

Addressing concerns about the state of Nigeria’s prison system, Senator Oshiomhole expressed dissatisfaction with the high number of inmates awaiting trial, the majority of whom have not been convicted.

He also noted that many inmates are detained for minor offences and called for a review of the justice system to prevent the incarceration of innocent citizens.

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“Now somebody commits an offence, probably fights the other, and takes him to prison. A magistrate is in a hurry to remand, depending on who wants the person detained. And so we have a lot of people.

“The third element is the fact that most of the people in prison are under state offences. And under the constitution, as amended, the state ought to bear responsibilities for people convicted under the laws of the state,” he further stated.

The Senate commended the efforts of the minister and relevant agencies, affirming their support for providing legislative backing and resources to address the challenges faced by correctional services.

In his response, Tunji-Ojo assured that the federal government is taking necessary measures to prevent future occurrences and ensure the safety of inmates.

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He stated that everything is under control and that steps are being taken to create a safe correctional environment.

“We spoke about the root cause of the matter. What happened. We spoke about what we are doing, which I won’t be able to say here for security reasons. And we also discussed solutions in terms of making sure that this doesn’t happen again.

“And I can tell you, the federal government is in control of this; everything is under control. Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is actually putting in everything through the Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Correctional Services to make sure that there is no reoccurrence. We will have a correctional centre that is safe for all inmates,” he added.

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Drama As Abuja Bolt Driver Makes U-turn, Apologises To Abia Rep, Alex Ikwechegh

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An Abuja Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya has apologised to the Abia federal lawmaker, Alex Ikwechegh who assaulted him.

Abuwatseya said his provocative utterances caused a misunderstanding with Ikwechegh.

He asked Nigerians for forgiveness.

In a video released on Thursday, the Bolt driver urged Nigerians to move on from the incident.

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He said: “Good day, Nigerians. My name is Stephen Abuwatseya. I had a misunderstanding with Rt. Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh a few days ago. I actually want to apologize to him for whatever I must have said or done to provoke him to that level of anger.

“I want to tell Nigerians that it’s not time for us to start dividing ourselves based on religion, tribes, or regions. We should actually come together, see how we can unite this nation, and move it forward.

“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive and forget, as it’s even contained in our Lord’s Prayer, that ‘Lord, please forgive us, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ For there is no justice without forgiveness. Thank you very much.”

On October 28, the House of Representatives member representing Aba North/South of Abia State, assaulted the Bolt driver while he was delivering a package at his residence in Abuja.

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In the footage, the lawmaker repeatedly slapped and insulted the driver.

Ikwechegh also threatened to make the Bolt driver disappear from Nigeria.

He was subsequently arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Kuje area of the Federal Capital Territory where he pleaded not guilty.

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War: Trump will give Netanyahu a blank check – Ex-CIA boss, Panetta

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A former CIA director and US defence secretary Leon Panetta, Donald Trump would offer Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “blank cheque” in the Middle East once he takes office, potentially paving the door for a full-scale conflict between Israel and Iran.

He said that Israel would receive his approval for every action taken by the president-elect, who defeated Democratic candidate Kamala Harris to win the presidency this week and will return to office in January

“With regards to the Middle East, I think he’s basically going to give Netanyahu a blank check,” he said via the Guardian, UK.”

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Whatever you do, whatever you want to do, whoever you want to go after, you have my blessing.’ I mean, he basically said that [before the election].”

Since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel last year, Netanyahu has presided over attacks on Iran and its assets as part of an expanding conflict.

During the US election campaign, he reportedly spoke with the US president-elect.

Following Trump’s triumph over Kamala Harris on Wednesday, Netanyahu praised him.

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My relationship with Kwankwaso is perfect, Kano Gov reacts to alleged feud

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf has denied having any form of rift between him and his political leader, Rafiu Kwankwaso.

Responding to the rising tensions within the party, the NNPP’s state leadership recently suspended Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, Secretary to the State Government, and Muhammad Diggol, Commissioner of Transportation, accusing them of involvement in the “Abba Tsaya da Kafarka” campaign. Both officials have denied these allegations.

As support for this faction grows, other prominent members of the Kwankwasiyya movement, including House representatives Aliyu Sani Madakin Gini and Alhassan Rurum, have publicly distanced themselves from Kwankwaso, encouraging Yusuf to assert his independence.

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Governor Yusuf, however, stood firm in his loyalty.

“It’s as if people do not understand the role Kwankwaso has played. Where were these critics when he was laying the foundation for what we are doing now?” he questioned.

Yusuf also expressed frustration with media reports suggesting that he had ignored multiple calls from Kwankwaso. “They said Kwankwaso called me more than 30 times, and I refused to answer. Where did they get this from?” Yusuf asked. “If not for my respect for journalists, I would have taken the person who wrote that to court. But I know, and Kwankwaso knows, that it’s all lies. There is no rift.”

Finally, he appealed to his supporters to reject divisive slogans, urging respect and unity within the party. “As of today, I don’t want to hear ‘stand on your own’ in Kano State or anywhere in Nigeria,” he said. “We were raised to respect elders, not to insult them.”

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