NCoS Refutes Claim of Neglecting Female Inmates’ Menstrual Care

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has refuted the claim that female inmates are left without menstrual care, insisting that it is false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality on the ground at correctional facilities.

A statement on Sunday by the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Adamu Duza read: “The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) FCT Command, has been drawn to a recent narrative alleging that female inmates across Nigeria are being “left without menstrual care” citing the Medium Security Custodial Centre Suleja. This claim is false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality on the ground.

“In line with its mandate and international best practices, NCoS supplies sanitary pads and hygiene kits to all female inmates at no cost, with monthly distribution recorded in inmates’ welfare registers.”

He added that: “Custodial Centres has a designated healthcare unit with qualified nurses and doctors that attend to the medical needs of female inmates, including menstrual-related issues, with free consultations, medications, and referrals to nearby hospitals when required.

“The Service also collaborates with development partners, civil society organisations, and faith-based groups that regularly donate sanitary products and conduct menstrual-hygiene awareness sessions. Recently the service received a donation of sanitary pads from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to promote menstrual hygiene, amongst others. This is a testament of the power of collaboration.

“Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command remains committed to the dignity and humane treatment of all inmates, in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution, the Nelson Mandela Rules, and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

“The Service hereby advise reporters to confirm sources of their information regarding the Nigerian Correctional Service before going to press in order not to mislead the general public.”

NCoS Refutes Claim of Neglecting Female Inmates’ Menstrual Care

Owo church Massacre: DSS recaptures Ansaru Terrorists Mastermind of deeper life church shootings

By: Michael Mike

The Department of State Services (DSS) has recaptured a top commander of the Ansari terrorist group, Abdulazeez Obadaki, believed to have masterminded the August 7, 2012 mass shooting of Christian worshippers at a Deeper Life Bible Church, near Okene, in Kogi State.

At least 19 worshippers, including the pastor were killed, with several others sustaining varying degrees of injuries after three men armed with AK-47 rifles walked into the church and opened fire on the worshippers.

Security sources said Obadaki, who, after the church mass shooting, also masterminded another attack on five commercial banks in Uromi, Edo State, was arrested, but escaped during the July 2022 jailbreak at Kuje Custodial Centre.

Security sources disclosed that the suspected terrorist leader confessed to orchestrating the Kuje Custodial centre jailbreak following his transfer from Kabba Custodial Centre in June 2022.

According to the sources, after over three years of being on the run, DSS operatives in a, well-oiled intelligence operation recaptured Obadaki aka Bomboy, on Friday morning.

This arrest comes barely two months after the secret police arraigned five suspects linked to the 2022 Catholic Church attack in Owo, Ondo State.

During the February 2022 daylight bank robberies in Uromi, Edo State, which instilled widespread fear across the region, several policemen and bank customers were killed, while hundreds of millions of Naira was reportedly carted away.
The secret police has, of recent, been recording a chain of successes in the capture of terrorists and criminal elements across the nation, with its new leadership fast-tracking the trial of the arrested suspects.

Owo church Massacre: DSS recaptures Ansaru Terrorists Mastermind of deeper life church shootings

Wheat Production: Zulum Flags Off FG’s Agricultural Inputs Distribution

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has flagged off the distribution of critical agricultural inputs for the 2025/2026 dry season wheat farming.

The distributed inputs include high-yielding wheat seeds, blended fertilisers, tractors, and pesticides.

The event, held on Saturday at the Jere Bowl in Dusuman, Jere Local Government, marked the commencement of the Federal Government’s intervention programme for wheat cultivation in Nigeria.

The initiative is being implemented under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), a flagship programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security designed to empower farmers and reduce the country’s reliance on food imports.

Governor Zulum, while addressing beneficiaries and stakeholders, noted that the programme aligns with his administration’s commitment to revitalising the agricultural sector.

He said, “Here in Borno State, wheat cultivation is not just a programme; it is a transformative initiative. Through targeted investments in irrigation, mechanisation, quality inputs, and extension services, we are equipping farmers to achieve higher yields, enhance productivity, and contribute meaningfully to national output.”

He further stated, “Borno State has achieved remarkable milestones under our people-centred agricultural vision. Our input support programmes have reached tens of thousands of smallholder farmers, resettled households, women, and youth, providing improved seeds, agrochemicals, and agronomic guidance.”

Zulum commended President Tinubu’s food security initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He stated, “Let me begin by acknowledging the steadfast leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose Renewed Hope Agenda has continued to champion transformative investments in agriculture across Nigeria.”

Zulum also said, “Mr President’s commitment to food security and national productivity provides the foundation upon which programmes like this are built.”

The governor expressed gratitude to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, noting, “I also express profound appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, His Excellency Senator Abubakar Kyari, for sustaining this national programme and for selecting Borno State as one of the priority locations for scaled wheat production.”

Speaking earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, noted that 16 states will benefit from the NAGS-AP wheat component of the 2025/2026 season.

“Today, the wheat component of the NAG-AP programme covers 16 wheat-producing states of the federation. These are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara,” Sen Kyari said.

According to the minister, “for the current 2025/2026 season, the programme is targeting 80,000 registered farmers with an expected output value of approximately N160b.”

He added, “Out of the 40,000 hectares earmarked for wheat production, the 2025/2026 dry season, 3,000 hectares have been allocated to Borno State, representing 6,000 wheat farmers. This support will be followed by the second phase of the programme, which will promote the cultivation of other priority top value chains across the state.”

Delivering the welcome address, Borno’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engr Bawu Musami, enumerated the achievements of the Zulum administration in the agricultural sector.

The commissioner stated that an ambitious South Sudan irrigation scheme and Baga Folders projects have been activated, with thousands of farmers cultivating a variety of produce.

The occasion was attended by the senator representating Borno Central, Kaka Shehu Lawan; Member Representing Maiduguri at the House of Representatives, Abdulkadir Rahis; that of Marte, Monguno and Nganzai, Engr Bukar Talba.

Other dignitaries include the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi; the Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Askira; the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; and other senior government officials.

Wheat Production: Zulum Flags Off FG’s Agricultural Inputs Distribution