News
FG Flags Off Release of 4,068 Inmates on Fine Nationwide, Gets N585 million from Philanthropists, Corporate World to Pay Fines
FG Flags Off Release of 4,068 Inmates on Fine Nationwide, Gets N585 million from Philanthropists, Corporate World to Pay Fines
By: Michael Mike
The federal government has flagged off the release of 4,068 inmates sentenced to various terms of imprisonment with option of fine and compensation in Custodial Centres nationwide.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony on Saturday where 37 inmates with option of fine were released at Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the innovation was “in our bid to decongest Custodial Centres and make them humane for proper reformation and rehabilitation of offenders to take place.”
He said: “As at yesterday, the 17th day of November, 2023, there were about 80,804 inmates in 253 custodial facilities nationwide, which total installed capacity for the 253 Custodial Centres adds up to less than 50,000. This shows that our Custodial facilities are over-crowded; necessitating this initiative we are flagging off today, which is targeted towards addressing the overcrowding conundrum bedevilling our Custodial Centres and their reformatory function.”
He added that: “Today, we flag off the release of a total of 4,068 inmates who are serving different terms of imprisonment in lieu of fines and/or compensation. Most of the benefitting inmates at the verge of their freedom are indigents who cannot afford to pay their fines, and are languishing in custody.”
On the project which was the minister’s initiative, supported by his friends and corporate organisations spread across the country, Tunji-Ojo said N585 million was raised by philanthropic individuals, groups and corporate bodies, as part of their corporate social responsibility, for this purpose.
He disclosed that all inmates in Custodial Centres who have fines and/or compensation not exceeding N1 million are qualified, and would benefit from the gesture.
He said in addition, we are also providing each of them a stipend to enable them return to their communities.
The Minister said: “Suffice it to mention at this point that we are not just releasing them to their fates; we have given them requisite training aimed at impacting their lives functionally and equipping them with the knowledge for their self-reliance upon discharge. The training also covers their civic duties and responsibilities as citizens, and strategies of refraining from reoffending.”
He noted that: “In line with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mantra of Renewed Hope, the benefitting inmates have been given a second opportunity to get back to track and contribute to the ongoing development of our dear nation. It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its custodial facilities. It is based on this premise that this administration is poised to transform custodial and non-custodial facilities to ensure compliance with international human rights standards and good correctional practices.”
He pleaded with Nigerians to receive the returning citizens with open arms, warning that: “They should refrain from stigmatizing against them as it can drive them back to offending the law, which will further endanger the society.”
He said. “To the benefitting inmates, I implore you to see this as a second chance to make things right again. You are therefore advised to stay off crime and criminality, and all join hands with our father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to make Nigeria a great nation. Abide by the instructions and training you have received while in custody, and be a good ambassador in your communities.”
Speaking earlier, the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa said: “Today’s event is significant and quite admirable, as it emphasizes the Minister’s zeal and commitment to sustain the ongoing reforms in the Service, in line with the present administration’s renewed hope agenda.”
He noted that this sole initiative of the Ministry of Interior has set a very laudable pace for individuals, corporate entities and other stakeholders to take after.
He said: “Overcrowding in most of our Custodial Centres, especially those in metropolitan areas has been a perennial challenge to the Service. The payment of fine/compensation for indigent inmates with such options, is not only philanthropic but strategic in reducing the number of persons in custody.”
Nababa added that: “The emergence of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Act, 2019 brought a very huge sigh of relief to the Service as it encapsulates a good number of provisions geared towards decongesting our custodial facilities, so as to create ample opportunity for humane containment of inmates in line with global best practice.
Sections 37 (1) and 12(4-12) of the NCoS Act, 2019 which authorizes non-custodial measures and rejection of inmates where a facility has exceeded its capacity respectively, are key among the available windows for ameliorating congestion.”
FG Flags Off Release of 4,068 Inmates on Fine Nationwide, Gets N585 million from Philanthropists, Corporate World to Pay Fines
News
Troops detect, detonate IED along Ngoshe–Pulka road in Borno
Troops detect, detonate IED along Ngoshe–Pulka road in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team of 82 Division Task Force Battalion have successfully detected and detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) along a major supply route in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.
Security sources said the device was discovered at about 9:42 a.m. on March 22 during a routine scan of the Main Supply Route (MSR) between PAPA 4 and PAPA 5 along the Ngoshe–Pulka road.

The IED, suspected to have been planted by terrorists to target troops and commuters, was safely recovered and detonated in situ by the EOD team without causing any casualties.
Military sources said the operation was part of ongoing counter-IED measures aimed at ensuring the safety of movement along critical routes in the North-East.
Residents and road users have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects or activities to security agencies for prompt action.
Troops detect, detonate IED along Ngoshe–Pulka road in Borno
News
ISWAP cleric threatens attack on Malam Fatori, after humiliating defeat, troops urged to remain alert
ISWAP cleric threatens attack on Malam Fatori, after humiliating defeat, troops urged to remain alert
By: Zagazola Makama
A suspected ISWAP cleric has issued threats of a possible attack on Malam Fatori following the recent neutralization of 75 terrorists in a failed attack on March 18 2026.
According to intelligence sources, the cleric, who reportedly led this year Eid Fitr prayers in a location near Sabon Tumbu, warned during his sermon that the group would soon retaliate against Nigerian troops for operations carried out in Malam Fatori.
The source said the cleric specifically threatened that the town could be “reduced to ashes” in a reprisal attack, stressing that such statements by insurgents should not be dismissed as mere rhetoric.
Sources noted that past experiences have shown that insurgent groups often act on their threats, urging troops deployed in Malam Fatori to remain on high alert and adequately equipped to counter any potential assault.
They also warned that the insurgents could deploy heavy firepower and adopt tactics such as coordinated assaults and the use of vehicle-borne explosive devices in any attempted attack.
Malam Fatori has for long been described as the town as a long-standing stronghold of military resistance against terrorist elements. The town has, over the years, witnessed decisive military victories against ISWAP fighters, nick named the “Grave Yard of ISWAP” and earning a REPUTATION as a difficult terrain for insurgents to operate.
The troops of the Armed Forces, supported by other security agencies, remain on high alert and have continued to fortify defensive positions in anticipation of any attempted incursion.
According to the sources, intelligence and surveillance have been intensified, while logistics and operational readiness have been enhanced to ensure that any threat is decisively neutralised.
“Experience has shown that insurgents often suffer heavy losses whenever they attempt to attack well-defended positions like Malam Fatori,” the source said.
ISWAP cleric threatens attack on Malam Fatori, after humiliating defeat, troops urged to remain alert
News
Baban Chinedu says Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo is a former Armed robber now turned crises entrepreneur
Baban Chinedu says Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo is a former Armed robber now turned crises entrepreneur
By: Zagazola Makama
Sheikh Yusuf Haruna Baban Chinedu, popularly known as Baban Chinedu, has launched a scathing and evidence-based attack on controversial Plateau pastor Ezekiel Dachomo in a viral video, accusing him of being a former armed robber and a liar who fabricated stories about meeting Jesus after a 1980 bank robbery in Jos.
Baban Chinedu declared: “Ezekiel Dachomo isn’t just someone seen in a photo with a bandit; no, he is the bandit! … Ezekiel committed armed robbery. We have records on him from 1976, from ’76 to sometime after 2000. … This man is a hardened armed robber.”
He played a clip of Dachomo admitting: “Because I went in 1980 is our gang that robbed a bank in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. 1980, they make away with a lot of money. It was my best friend that led the operation.” Baban Chinedu challenged: “Praise be to God, I hope you all heard the statement this man made. … He is lying! I want you to listen and know that first of all, this man is a complete hypocrite and a total liar. I swear, it was a gun that shot them! Angels? He claims Jesus came down with seven angels who struck them and killed fourteen people while he hid in the blood? You see, even the angels God sent down… only managed to kill fourteen people and lost track of where that one man was?”
The sheikh alleged Dachomo hid among corpses and was rescued by a gang member named Emmanuel, not Jesus: “He was begging Jesus for God’s sake to forgive him and spare his life. He claims that was where he met Jesus… By Allah, he is lying! … It was a gun that shot them! No Jesus descended there; he is lying to you.” He added: “A lady told me; she heard him when he was shot, and he still has the scar from that wound on his left side. … He is lying! At that time, it was the police, Nigerian security agents, Nigeria Police MOPOL who she said shot them.”
Baban Chinedu accused Dachomo of transitioning from “practical, street-level bandit” to “spiritual bandit” and inciting religious conflict: “The armed bandits of the past are the ones who transformed into these kidnappers. … All those who are making these plans are your boys… You’re insulting her religion, she told us the truth about everything that happened… You are a robber, and the government should investigate you; you’re behind all of this.”
He challenged Dachomo to court: “Ezekiel, I, Yusuf Haruna Baban Chinedu, challenge you: if you know there’s any falsehood in what’s being said about you, take it to court.” The sheikh demanded investigation: “We want the government if possible to investigate this man, I swear to God he’s an armed robber… By Allah, the government should know that Ezekiel is involved in this. Let him tell you the names of those he robbed with.”
The viral video has ignited fierce online reactions, with many praising Baban Chinedu’s evidence-based approach while others condemn the personal attacks on Dachomo, intensifying Nigeria’s ongoing religious and ethnic tensions occasioned by US recent remarks on Christians genocide propaganda. Watch the video in the comment section.
Baban Chinedu says Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo is a former Armed robber now turned crises entrepreneur
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