The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Prisons Service

  • 24 inmates to participate in Basic Certificate Exam in Jos

    24 inmates to participate in Basic Certificate Exam in Jos

    The Nigerian Prisons Service, Plateau Command, on Sunday, said 24 inmates of the Jos prison would take part  in the ongoing 2017 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) from July 3 to July 6.

    Mr Luka Ayedoo, the Public Relations Officer of the command in a statement in Jos said subjects to be taken include Business Studies, Computer Studies, Basic Science, Practical Agricultural Science, Basic Technology and Physical and Health Education.

    He stated that the Controller of Prisons in charge of the command, Mr Noel Aileron, advised the inmates to be of good conduct during the examination.

    Ayedoo quoted Aileron as saying “you must work hard to earn good results that will make the Prison Service proud of you.

    “Do not get discouraged by anything; just ensure your stay in this place becomes worthwhile.”

    Aileron expressed the prisons’ readiness to provide quality education to inmates and urged the state government, private sector and the public to support them.

    The Principal of the Jos Prison Adult School, Mr Uguoke Abuchi, who said that the inmates were ready for the examination, added that “the inmates are very ready for this examination. This is evident in their quest for extra classes and their ardent interest to make good results.”

  • Prerogative of Mercy: Lagos orders release of 18 Kirikiri inmates

    Prerogative of Mercy: Lagos orders release of 18 Kirikiri inmates

    The Lagos State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy on Thursday handed over an order to the Nigerian Prisons Service for the immediate release of 18 inmates serving life sentences at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison.

    The order was handed over to the Service through the State’s Controller of Prisons, Mr Olatunbosun Ladipo.

    The 18 inmates, who included 15 male and 3 females serving life sentences for various offences, and having spent more than 30 years in incarceration, were recommended for immediate release by the Council on compassionate grounds.

    The inmates were ordered to be released having been found to have fulfilled the very stringent conditions for their freedom.

    Speaking at the small handing over ceremony held at the hall of the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Chairman of the Council, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, applauded the benevolence of the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode in assenting to exercise the prerogative in favour of the recommended inmates.

    Oyewo, who was represented by Mrs Bolatunmi Animashaun advised the pardoned inmates to turn a new leaf when eventually they are reunited with their families into the larger society, adding that they must steer clear of every temptation that could make them a repeat offender and jeopardize the once in a lifetime opportunity.

    Also speaking, the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem encouraged other inmates still serving in the Prison to be of good behaviour and exhibit conducts that could qualify them to benefit from such order.

    Kazeem, who was represented by Director of Legislative Drafting in the State’s Ministry of Justice, Mrs Yejide Kolawole advised the inmates to improve themselves, as the application of other inmates eligible for State pardon were still under consideration.

    The pardoned inmates were very jubilant and thankful to the Governor for his benevolence in giving them the opportunity of a second chance at living a purposeful life.

    They also pledged to be of good behaviour, and to be law abiding citizens as they return back to the larger society.

    In his response, the State Controller of Prisons commended Governor Ambode for his efforts at ensuring the wellbeing of inmates in the State Prisons through the regular assistance.

     

  • Six face panel over invasion of prison’s farm in Benue

    Six officials of Nigerian Prisons Service have been questioned over herdsmen invasion of Jato Aka Prisons Farm Centre in Benue.

    The Public Relations Officer of the service in the State, ASP Stephen Nwanchor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Makurdi on Tuesday that a panel had concluded sitting over the matter.

    He said Tersoo Agidi, an inmate, was killed during the March 25 suspected herdsmen invasion of the Farm centre located on Jato-Aka/Kashimbila road.

    Nwanchor said the five-man administrative panel was headed by the state Comptroller of Prisons, Peter Pevigo. “Pevigo was the head of the five man panel because of the seriousness of the matter.’’

    He added that the panel had concluded its investigation and forwarded its report to Abuja on April 2.

    “I want to say that because of the sensitive nature of the issue and for security reasons the names of the affected officers will be announced at the appropriate time.”

    Nwanchor said the incident took place during a general clean up of the farm centre.

    The PRO said out of the 15 inmates that escaped during the invasion, 11 were recaptured, with four still at large.

    “We have evacuated the remaining inmates from the centre to Gboko, pending the outcome of the investigation.

    “We are not taking anything for granted. We are on top of the situation and all relevant security operatives in the state have been notified.”

    He said no arrest had so far been made.

    Nwanchor said the service had tightened security in and around all its facilities in the state.

    NAN recalls that the farm centre was established by the service and started operation in January 2017.

     

  • Kogi jail break: Govt recaptures 15 inmates

    Kogi jail break: Govt recaptures 15 inmates

    •Residents live in fear 

    Fifteen of the inmates, who escaped from the Koto-Kariffi Federal Medium Security Prison in Kogi State on Sunday, have been re-arrested.

    Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) spokesman Ope Fatinikun told our correspondent in Abuja that efforts were on to recapture the remaining escapees.

    Fatinikun said: “144 inmates were set free. As at this afternoon (yesterday), 15 inmates have been recaptured. One inmate died during the process. We are walking round the clock to get the remaining inmates.”

    Kogi State residents are living in fear, as 26 of the escapees are hardened criminals convicted of violent crimes, including murder and armed robbery.

    Some residents expressed fear that many of the escapees could be Boko Haram sect members.

    A resident, who pleaded for anonymity, said many people now sleep with one eye open, adding: “Everybody here is afraid. Criminals are on the loose and they could be lurking around the corner. The security people are not helping the matter. No one is telling us whether any of those who escaped have been rearrested, so how can we sleep soundly?”

    A resident of Koton-Karfe, who also pleaded for anonymity, said: “I was sound asleep that night. We slept around 8:30pm and it was on the next day that we heard the news. It has happened before. We are afraid because once it is dark, you cannot be sure of who is in the bush.”

    The Comptroller of Prisons, Aminu Suley, blamed the attack on “external forces”.

    It was learnt that the attackers operated for over three hours unchallenged.

    That is the second attack on the prison in two years.

    In 2012, about 200 awaiting trial inmates escaped when unidentified men attacked the prison.