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Attacks on Prisons: FG declares Prisons ‘Red Zones’
The Federal Government has expressed great outrage at the recent wave of attacks on Custodial Centres of the Nigeria Correctional Service NCoS, ordering personnel of the Service’s armed squad to shoot-at-sight any internal and external aggressor. Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola gave the order at an emergency meeting with NCoS Squadron Commanders, Field Commanders and Heads of Armed Squads.
This was as he said some of the inmates who escaped from the custodial centres have been rearrested for murder. He also cautioned the personnel against trafficking which he said was one way through which criminals invade the facilities having known that they could smuggle contraband into the facilities.
While he declared the centres as “red zones” which must remain inviolable at all costs, Aregbesola directed the officers to deploy maximum force rather than minimum force against aggressors. He said; “Our Custodial Centres must be red zones. It is a quarantine centre for those who by law should not live among free men.
When a person is declared unfit to relate with other humans, it is the duty of the authorities to guarantee it. “We are with you absolutely to make our Custodial Centres inviolable.
Attacks on centres is no longer a happenstance. There is a pattern now and we can no longer give any excuse to allow these attacks to succeed. I was at the Owerri centre when we were told about the circumstances surrounding that attack and the question someone asked was, where are the casualties?
“If this meeting must make any meaning at all, you will be held absolutely responsible going forward for any attack on our custodial facilities. I asked representatives of the advanced nations about how it works and they told me a custodial centre is a fortress and a sacred facility that nobody should even have the temerity to attack, not to talk of succeeding at attacking. So the current security challenges are just being used as a cover. A pattern is fast emerging and we must take it as such. “Well, we must commend you for your professionalism, diligence and sacrifice in the performance of your duties. We appreciate you but the line must be drawn where you say enough is enough, where nobody can cross, to dare or to attempt to break our will.
“I am aware of your yeoman’s job in foiling attacks, particularly jailbreaks. I must commend you for your brilliance in Ikoyi, Bauchi, Ubiaja and Kano recently.
“The custodial facilities are a symbol of the authority of the Nigerian State. They are sacred and inviolable institutions.
You will notice that they are usually built around military fortresses, to show how important they are. This is to deter would-be attackers from inside or outside.
“More importantly, you are armed and positioned to directly guard them and defend their integrity. Your mission is to defend the facilities at all costs. Let me repeat again, defend them at all costs.
You are empowered by the highest authority in the land to use every means necessary to defend the custodial centres against internal and external aggression.
The weapons you carry and the instrument you have are to be lawfully deployed for maximum effect, in protecting the facilities. Anyone or group of persons that decide(s) to attack them should not live to regret it. “You must not fail because failure means you have contributed to the insecurity in the land by allowing criminals to invade society.
This begins with vigilance. You must be on the watch for any instrument or material that could aid criminals in perpetuating jailbreaks.
Again, earlier this month, vigilant officers stopped one of their colleagues from smuggling a mobile phone to an inmate in Bauchi. It will be difficult, if not impossible, for inmates to break from inside without receiving assistance from officers, no matter how little.
“Never again must a successful attack happen on any of our custodial facilities, not even in our farms.
Whoever attempts it must simply regret it. By the time you make it almost a life and death matter when you attempt a custodial facility, that will be the end of such attack.
Rearrested for murder
“Some of the escaped inmates from Edo have been rearrested for murder, another crime. There was a particular case that immediately he escaped from the centre in Edo, he went straight and killed all those he said facilitated his initial arrest. Luckily he has now been arrested and faces a double jeopardy, one for escape from lawful custody and two, for murder”, Aregbesola added.
Earlier, Acting Controller General of the NCoS, John Mrabure charged the personnel to scale up efforts at securing the facilities. According to him, the management would continue to punish those who shirk in their responsibilities and also reward those who perform exceptionally.
The Eastern Bar Forum (EBF), the umbrella body of legal practitioners from Nigeria’s old Eastern Region, has commended the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma after inspecting major infrastructure projects across Imo State, describing the state’s transformation as “real, visible and verifiable.”
The endorsement followed an extensive tour of key government projects during the Forum’s 2026 Quarterly Meeting and Convention in Owerri, where members unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the governor’s leadership and development agenda.
The convention attracted senior advocates, judges, jurists and legal practitioners from Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
The inspection team, led by EBF Governor, Barr. D.O. Nosike, was received by the Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Paul Obinatu. Accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Development, the delegation visited several landmark projects executed by the Uzodimma administration.
Among the projects inspected were the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre, the Control Post Flyover, reconstructed roads within Owerri Municipality, the Orashi Power Distribution Company, the refurbished Concord Hotel and the Imo Digital City Hub.
Speaking after the tour, members of the Forum expressed satisfaction with the quality, scale and strategic importance of the projects, describing them as clear evidence of a government committed to transforming Imo into a hub for investment, commerce and innovation.
According to the Forum, the inspection disproved claims that the administration’s achievements existed only in media reports, noting that the infrastructure they observed reflected deliberate planning, effective execution and prudent governance.
The legal body praised Governor Uzodimma for consistently pursuing developmental projects capable of driving economic growth and improving residents’ quality of life.
It identified the Orashi Power Distribution Company as a major investment with the potential to enhance electricity supply and support industrial growth across the state.
The Forum also highlighted the Imo Digital City Hub as one of the administration’s flagship legacy projects, commending its efforts to equip young people with skills in software development, robotics, website design, computer engineering, digital entrepreneurship and other technology-related fields.
The delegation further applauded the administration for the construction and rehabilitation of major road networks, including the Owerri-Orlu Expressway, Owerri-Onitsha Road, Owerri-Okigwe Road, Owerri-Mbaise Road, Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, as well as several internal roads across the state.
Members observed that by investing in both physical infrastructure and human capital development, the Uzodimma administration was laying a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth.
Consequently, the Forum unanimously adopted a vote of confidence in Governor Uzodimma, applauding his leadership, developmental vision and commitment to rebuilding Imo State.
The Eastern Bar Forum explained that its periodic inspection of government projects is part of its institutional responsibility to independently assess governance and development efforts across the states of the old Eastern Region.
The convention concluded in Owerri on Sunday with discussions on legal practice, constitutional issues, justice sector reforms and national development, with delegates maintaining that their findings in Imo underscored the value of transparent governance backed by measurable results.
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, false declaration and money laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Nnaji was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik over allegations that he submitted forged academic credentials, including a University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The anti-graft agency also accused the former minister of fraudulently receiving about ₦29.5 million in salaries and emoluments, alongside money laundering-related offences.
After taking his plea, Nnaji’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ogwu Onoja, applied for bail. The prosecution did not oppose the application, leaving the decision to the court.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted Nnaji bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum.
The court ruled that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 with a verifiable residence of at least four years. The surety is also required to provide evidence of employment, including an appointment letter and salary slips for the last three months, subject to verification by the relevant authority.
The judge further directed Nnaji to surrender his international passport and all other travel documents pending the determination of the case.
The matter was adjourned until September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Nnaji’s prosecution follows his arrest by the ICPC on July 1 after the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court. The commission alleged that he repeatedly failed to honour invitations during its investigation into the alleged forgery of his academic credentials.
The former minister resigned from office in October 2025 after the allegations became public. However, he has consistently maintained his innocence, insisting that his resignation was not an admission of guilt but a step taken to allow due process to take its course.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has announced legal action against individuals circulating what he described as false and defamatory reports surrounding the death of a nurse allegedly linked to his residence.
Speaking on Sunday while inspecting the Ebonyi section of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway, Umahi said he had instructed his legal team to prosecute those responsible for spreading the claims.
Social media reports had alleged secrecy surrounding the death of nurse Mary Habila inside the minister’s compound in Ebonyi State.
Rejecting the allegations, Umahi explained that the deceased’s family became alarmed after she failed to respond to calls, forced open her room, and immediately sought medical assistance.
“The family broke the girl’s door, called doctors from DUFUTH, who took her to the hospital and did everything possible to revive her, but she could not be saved,” he said.
According to the minister, the incident was promptly reported to the police, making allegations of a cover-up baseless.
“The family reported the matter to the police, so where is the secrecy?” he asked.
Umahi disclosed that the deceased’s parents, who are currently in Ebonyi State, would address journalists and also institute legal action against those spreading what he described as false information.
He added that he had directed that an autopsy be conducted, subject to the approval of the deceased’s parents.
Condemning what he described as the exploitation of a tragic death for online content, Umahi warned against spreading unverified information.
“You don’t create content with someone’s death,” he said.
The minister described the late Mary Habila as a dedicated nurse at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, noting that she had attended to him professionally for about three years.
Umahi also dismissed reports linking him to an alleged kidnap suspect said to have been recruited into the Ebonyi security outfit, Ebubeagu.
“Can those making these allegations produce a photograph showing me with the person?” he asked.
He maintained that he neither knew the suspect nor could reasonably be expected to know everyone recruited into the security outfit during his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State.
Reaffirming his opposition to kidnapping, Umahi said the crime deserves severe punishment and insisted the allegations against him were politically motivated. He vowed to continue defending his reputation through legal means.
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja to answer charges of alleged certificate forgery and false declaration brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Nnaji arrived at the court ahead of proceedings before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where he was scheduled to be arraigned on allegations bordering on forgery and the submission of false information during his ministerial appointment process.
The ICPC accused the former minister of presenting allegedly forged academic credentials and making false declarations in documents submitted to relevant public authorities while seeking nomination and screening for ministerial office in 2023.
The charges followed the conclusion of an investigation launched after a petition questioned the authenticity of the certificates reportedly presented by Nnaji during his nomination and confirmation.
Before filing the charges, the anti-graft agency had obtained a 14-day remand order against the former minister in June, alleging that he repeatedly failed to honour several invitations for questioning despite multiple notices.
Nnaji subsequently challenged the remand order, seeking to have it set aside, but the commission proceeded with criminal prosecution after completing its investigation.
The allegations attracted national attention following an investigative report published in October 2025, which claimed that the former minister forged the academic certificates allegedly used to secure his appointment.
Despite the accusations, Nnaji has consistently denied any wrongdoing and is expected to enter his plea as the case begins before the Federal High Court.
Shettima’s confirmation for the 2027 presidential election has reopened debate over the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, with political parties and stakeholders divided over whether religion or competence should shape leadership choices.
The APC’s decision ended months of speculation that Tinubu could replace Shettima with a Northern Christian, while reviving arguments that dominated the build-up to the 2023 election.
Although critics had argued that the same-faith ticket undermined Nigeria’s religious balance, Tinubu and Shettima won the presidency, and the ruling party has now opted to retain the combination for a second term.
While some opposition parties, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance and the Young Progressives Party, have downplayed concerns over the same-faith ticket, others have warned that religious balance remains an important factor in Nigeria’s politics.
The renewed debate followed the APC’s confirmation on Friday that Tinubu would contest the 2027 election with Shettima, a move that effectively ended months of speculation that the President could pick a Northern Christian as his running mate.
Ahead of the announcement, several names had been linked to the position, including the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.); the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Hassan Kukah; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
The APC’s decision has revived arguments that dominated the 2023 election after Tinubu, a Muslim from the South-West, selected Shettima, also a Muslim from the North-East, as his running mate.
Critics had argued that the ticket broke with Nigeria’s tradition of balancing presidential tickets along religious lines to reflect the country’s diversity. However, Tinubu and Shettima went on to win the election, defeating candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar; the Labour Party, Peter Obi; and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Reacting to the development, APGA said the focus of elections should be on leadership capacity rather than religion.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Opara, said Nigeria must move beyond identity politics and judge leaders by their performance.
“Competence should remain the defining issue in 2027, not whether candidates are Muslims or Christians,” he said.
The Young Progressives Party also argued that character, competence and integrity should outweigh religious or ethnic considerations in leadership selection.
Its spokesman, Wale Egbeola-Martins, said Nigeria’s major challenge had been poor leadership rather than the religious identities of those in power.
“The real challenge confronting our nation since the return to democratic rule has not been the ethnic or religious identity of those in power, but the persistent deficit of purposeful and accountable leadership,” he said.
The party said it would continue to support politics based on merit, service and national interest rather than religious or ethnic considerations.
APC defends retention
Meanwhile, the APC has defended its decision to retain Shettima, insisting that the choice was based on national interest and a careful assessment of political realities.
The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the Muslim-Muslim ticket had not produced the religious tensions predicted by critics ahead of the 2023 election.
“The decision was reached after a careful assessment of the situation. The party is conscious of religious sensitivities but is also mindful of the broader interests of Nigerians,” he said.
Ibrahim dismissed fears that the ticket could fuel religious division, arguing that the administration had promoted interfaith harmony since assuming office.
The National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party, Yabagi Yusuf, and a leader of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Mark Adebayo, also argued that issues such as security, the economy and governance performance would dominate the 2027 campaign rather than religious identity.
Yusuf said the APC’s decision was largely influenced by electoral considerations, particularly the need to secure support across key voting blocs.
He argued that while religious considerations remain part of political discussions, parties ultimately consider the electoral strength and acceptability of their candidates when making strategic decisions.
Yusuf said the APC’s decision was driven by electoral calculations rather than religious considerations.
According to him, political parties are primarily concerned with assembling tickets capable of attracting the broadest electoral support.
“It’s politics. They must have done their calculations and concluded that this is their best chance of winning. In the end, elections are about where the votes are,” he said.
The immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Mark Adebayo, also argued that the Muslim-Muslim ticket is unlikely to generate the level of controversy it did in 2023.
He said issues such as security, the economy and governance would dominate the 2027 campaign.
The Ijaw Youths Council also dismissed religious identity as the basis for evaluating political leaders.
The President of IYC Worldwide, Jonathan Lokpobiri, said Nigerians should focus on competence and good governance rather than the faith of candidates.
“What we need is a competent, focused and compassionate leader who can take difficult decisions and improve the lives of Nigerians. Religion should not be the yardstick for leadership,” he said.
Groups oppose ticket
However, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders criticised the APC’s decision, describing the retention of the Muslim-Muslim ticket as insensitive to Nigeria’s religious diversity.
Its President-General, Goodluck Ibem, said overlooking the opportunity to nominate a Northern Christian could deepen feelings of exclusion among many Nigerians.
“In a nation as religiously and culturally diverse as ours, leadership must not only be fair but must also be seen to be fair,” he said, urging the APC to embrace greater inclusiveness.
Similarly, the South-South Youths Initiative rejected Shettima’s renomination.
Its National President, Imeabe Oscar, argued that the APC’s decision was politically motivated and alleged that the party retained the Vice President largely for electoral advantage in Northern Nigeria.
‘Christians feel excluded’
The National President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Pogu Bitrus, criticised the APC’s decision, describing the retention of the Muslim-Muslim ticket as a slight on Christian Nigerians.
“To retain a Muslim-Muslim ticket after 2023 sends the wrong signal in a country as religiously diverse as Nigeria,” he said, urging the APC to reconsider its decision in the interest of national unity.
The Chairman of the Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, however, said fears expressed over the Muslim-Muslim ticket before the 2023 election had not materialised.
“The fears widely expressed in 2022 did not happen. The President and the Vice President have worked together, and that relationship appears to have remained stable,” he said.
Adeniran added that Shettima’s loyalty and working relationship with Tinubu may have influenced the President’s decision to retain him.
APC backs Shettima
Stakeholders of the APC in Abia State also defended the President’s decision.
The state chairman of the party, Chijioke Chukwu, said there was no justification for replacing Shettima, describing the President and Vice President as a team that had worked harmoniously since assuming office.
“It’s unreasonable to drop him (Shettima). Tinubu is a Muslim from the south and has been supporting Christians. Going for his second tenure, it is proper for the President to pick from the North. They have collaborated well without any problems between the Vice President and the President. There is no reason for a new VP. To us, this is a wonderful decision,” he said.
Similarly, Ohanaeze chieftain Justice Rowland Ajuzieogu said Tinubu was constitutionally entitled to choose his running mate, adding that Shettima had remained loyal throughout the administration.
“Tinubu looks at loyalty. Shetima is loyal.”
Industrialist and politician Sam Ohuabunwa also backed the decision, saying the Tinubu-Shettima ticket had already secured victory in 2023 and there was no compelling reason to alter it.
“Since Tinubu made the choice, heaven did not fall. He can do it again, and I believe that is the right thing to do.”
Afenifere faults decision
A faction of Afenifere led by Oba Olaitan Oladapo, however, faulted the renomination of Shettima.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, said retaining another Muslim-Muslim ticket failed to reflect fairness, religious balance and inclusiveness in a multi-faith country.
Speaking on Tinubu’s choice of Shettima, Faloye said “President Tinubu has continued to show disregard for federal character and religious balance and fairness.
“Most important is that we can expect more of the same if he chooses to coronate himself in 2027. May God save Nigeria sociopolitically and economically from this regime.”
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