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NCoS Prioritises Inmates’ Healthcare, Mental Wellbeing, Expands Access to Health Insurance

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NCoS Prioritises Inmates’ Healthcare, Mental Wellbeing, Expands Access to Health Insurance

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has intensified efforts to improve healthcare delivery in custodial centres across the country, placing renewed emphasis on the health of female inmates, mental healthcare and the enrolment of inmates into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, disclosed this on Wednesday at the flag-off of the second phase of the 2026 nationwide distribution of essential drugs and medicaments to commands and custodial facilities.

Nwakuche said the initiative forms part of the Service’s broader healthcare reform programme designed to ensure humane custody and quality medical services in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.

He explained that the quarterly distribution of medicines would strengthen healthcare delivery, reduce the burden of diseases, improve mental health support and contribute to the rehabilitation and reformation of inmates.

The Controller-General said the Service has accorded priority attention to the healthcare needs of female inmates, describing them as one of the most vulnerable groups within correctional facilities.

According to him, the administration has deliberately focused on addressing their unique medical needs, particularly menstrual hygiene management and other gender-specific sanitary requirements, to preserve their dignity and wellbeing.

Nwakuche also disclosed that the Service was working towards enrolling inmates into the National Health Insurance Scheme to guarantee sustainable access to quality healthcare nationwide.

He noted that while some state governments had already enrolled inmates into their respective state health insurance schemes, discussions were at an advanced stage to secure nationwide coverage under the framework of the National Health Insurance Authority.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to protecting the health, dignity and overall wellbeing of inmates while strengthening the correctional system’s capacity to deliver humane custody and effective rehabilitation,” he said.

The Assistant Controller-General of Corrections in charge of Medical Services, Glory Essien, described the distribution of essential medicines as another milestone in the Service’s ongoing healthcare reforms.

She said the intervention would significantly improve inmates’ health and reduce the risk of epidemics and communicable diseases in custodial centres across the country.

Essien urged caregivers and medical personnel in all commands to ensure that the drugs were used judiciously and strictly for their intended medical purposes in line with professional and ethical standards.

On accountability, the Assistant Controller-General in charge of Pharmacy, Muhammed Bashir, said the Service had institutionalised a robust monitoring and reporting mechanism to ensure that all medicines distributed reached the intended beneficiaries.

According to him, the framework provides effective oversight of pharmaceutical supplies, promotes transparency in drug management and guarantees accountability in the utilisation of medical resources.

Nwakuche expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting correctional reforms and commended the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for interventions aimed at improving healthcare delivery and inmates’ welfare.

He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to sustaining reforms that protect inmates’ health and mental wellbeing while advancing its core mandates of safe custody, rehabilitation, reformation and successful reintegration into society.

The latest distribution of essential medicines is part of the NCoS’ quarterly medical intervention programme, which seeks to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across custodial centres amid growing emphasis on human rights, rehabilitation and the welfare of inmates under Nigeria’s correctional system.

NCoS Prioritises Inmates’ Healthcare, Mental Wellbeing, Expands Access to Health Insurance

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Chad Accuses Sudanese Forces of Crossing Border, Bombing Convoy Deep Inside Chadian Territory

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Chad Accuses Sudanese Forces of Crossing Border, Bombing Convoy Deep Inside Chadian Territory

By Zagazola Makama

The Chadian General Staff has accused the warring parties in Sudan of violating Chad’s territorial integrity after aircraft and drones allegedly pursued and bombarded a convoy more than 100 kilometres inside Chadian territory.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, near Chad’s common border with Sudan, particularly around the Mourdi Department in the Ennedi-Est Province.

In a communiqué issued to the national and international public, the Chadian General Staff said aerial and ground assessments conducted throughout Friday, August 21, confirmed that the fighting in Sudan had once again spilled into Chadian territory.

According to the military authorities, aircraft and drones identified as belonging to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and/or forces supporting them were involved in the pursuit of a convoy.

The Chadian military said the operation initially took place on Sudanese territory but subsequently extended deep into Chad, with the convoy reportedly pursued and bombarded more than 100 kilometres inside Chadian territory.

The military authorities did not provide details on the identity of the convoy, the nature of its cargo, or the circumstances that led to the pursuit across the border.

However, the Chadian General Staff described the incident as a fresh violation of the country’s territorial integrity and warned all parties involved in the Sudan conflict against attempting to extend the war into Chad.

“Although no Chadian casualties have been recorded to date,” the military said, it strongly condemned what it described as the latest violation of Chad’s territorial integrity.

The General Staff issued a stern warning to the Sudanese belligerents, saying continued attempts to expand the Sudanese conflict into Chadian territory could have serious consequences.

It described such actions as a “suicidal risk” for those seeking to bring the Sudanese war onto Chadian soil.

The latest incident comes amid the continuing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has increasingly generated security concerns for neighbouring countries.

Chad shares a long and porous border with Sudan, particularly along its eastern frontier, where the security situation has remained fragile due to the movement of armed groups, refugees, weapons and combatants fleeing the Sudanese conflict.

The Chadian military said its defence and security forces remain on the highest level of alert to prevent further violations and protect the country’s population.

It further assured citizens that the security forces are prepared to respond forcefully to any threat capable of undermining the peace and security of the Chadian people.

The statement did not indicate whether Chad had identified the specific aircraft or drones involved through direct visual confirmation, radar data or other intelligence means, but said assessments conducted through aerial and physical means established that the operation had crossed into Chadian territory.

The development raises concerns over the potential regionalisation of the Sudan conflict, particularly as fighting and military operations continue to take place close to Sudan’s borders with Chad and other neighbouring countries.

For Chad, the alleged incursion represents a particularly sensitive security issue given the country’s proximity to the conflict and the potential for cross-border military operations to trigger a broader confrontation.

The Chadian authorities have therefore placed their forces on heightened alert while warning the Sudanese belligerents that further violations of its territory could provoke an energetic response.

The Chadian General Staff stressed that its priority remains the protection of the country’s territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens amid the continuing instability along its eastern border.

Chad Accuses Sudanese Forces of Crossing Border, Bombing Convoy Deep Inside Chadian Territory

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Troops Arrest 24-Year-Old Hunter With Dane Gun After Gunshots Report in Plateau

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Troops Arrest 24-Year-Old Hunter With Dane Gun After Gunshots Report in Plateau

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 3, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have arrested a 24-year-old man and recovered a Dane gun following a report of gunshots in the DTV general area of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred at about 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, when troops deployed at DTV responded to reports of gunshots in the area.

According to military sources, the troops arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect, identified as Emmanuel Daniel, 24, who was found in possession of one Dane gun.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect claimed to have fired the shots while hunting in the area.

The suspect and the recovered weapon are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action.

The arrest followed the prompt response of troops to reports of gunfire as security forces continue efforts to maintain peace and security across communities in Plateau State.

Troops Arrest 24-Year-Old Hunter With Dane Gun After Gunshots Report in Plateau

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GOC 3 Division Urges Irigwe Stakeholders to Embrace Dialogue, Peaceful Coexistence

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GOC 3 Division Urges Irigwe Stakeholders to Embrace Dialogue, Peaceful Coexistence

By Zagazola Makama

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General W.M. Dangana, has urged the Irigwe community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State to embrace dialogue and peaceful coexistence in resolving differences and restoring lasting peace.

Dangana made the call on Friday, August 22, 2026, during a stakeholders’ engagement held at Miango community in Bassa LGA.

The engagement was attended by the Chief of Staff and Commander, Sector 3, Operation ENDURING PEACE, the entire Irigwe leadership and other stakeholders.

During the meeting, participants discussed critical security issues affecting the community and measures required to address the challenges and prevent further escalation of tensions.

The GOC emphasized the importance of dialogue as a means of resolving differences, urging the stakeholders to pursue peaceful solutions to issues affecting the community.

He also called on the Irigwe leadership and residents to promote peaceful coexistence, stressing the need for collective efforts towards restoring lasting peace in the community and Plateau State at large.

The engagement further illustrates the importance of cooperation between the security agencies, traditional institutions and local communities in addressing security challenges and strengthening peace-building efforts.

The meeting was hitch-free.

GOC 3 Division Urges Irigwe Stakeholders to Embrace Dialogue, Peaceful Coexistence

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