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UNODC Begins Assessment Work on Rehabilitation of Lagos, Port Harcourt Correctional Facilities

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UNODC Begins Assessment Work on Rehabilitation of Lagos, Port Harcourt Correctional Facilities

UNODC Begins Assessment Work on Rehabilitation of Lagos, Port Harcourt Correctional Facilities

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has begun assessment work on rehabilitation of principal correctional facilities in Port Harcourt and Lagos.

The United Nations body is targeting the rehabilitation of correctional facilities in both Part Harcourt and Lagos after such interventions were made in Maiduguri and in states in the North East.

The Nigerian Correctional Service, UNODC and the Government of Germany have joined forces in upgrading Maiduguri Maximum Security Custodial Centre Centre in continuation of the 2021 phase I project: “Strengthening the Capacity of the Nigerian Correctional Service to Effectively Rehabilitate and Reintegrate Prisoners Held for an (Alleged) Association with Boko Haram.”

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Since the launch of the project, prison staff working at the Centre have received extensive training on the Nelson Mandela Rules, on dynamic security management as well as on integrating sports into a holistic rehabilitation programme. In addition, extensive infrastructural improvements have been made in order to enable the Centre to provide a far more sophisticated, diverse and eventually effective offer of recreational, vocational and educational services.

At the handing over of the Phase I of the Improved Infrastructure within the Correctional Centre on Tuesday were senior representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Borno State Government, representatives of the Security Services and the United Nations.

 The  infrastructural improvements are: Improved access to light and water for inmates and staff, through the provision of installation of eco-friendly solar energy sources to supplement the current prison electrical system with up to 72 hours of power reserve; Improved access to vocational skill development opportunities by inmates through the transformation of existing facilities into two functional vocational training workshops which will be fully equipped during phase II; Improved access to education through the refurbishment of the classroom and the provision of standard educational materials; and Improved mental and physical health and well-being of prisoners through the constructions of extensive new sports facilities, including football, volleyball and badminton pitches and the provision of the respective sports equipment.

A statement by UNODC on Tuesday said, under  its second phase the project will further upgrade the vocational training facilities and workshops as well as renovate the living quarters of staff of the NCoS Deradicalization Programme. 

The statement noted that the DERAD Programme team in Maiduguri consists of specialized employees, including psychologists, social workers, sport-instructors, art-therapists, work-instructors, and spiritual caretakers. They are deployed to Maiduguri MSCC with the primary task of supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of those inmates associated or allegedly associated with Boko Haram.

The statement further revealed that “with the support of the Government of the United States, UNODC has been able to further expand its approach to enhancing the rehabilitation and reintegration capabilities of the Nigeria Correctional Service across several other major correctional facilities in the North East.

“Further assessments are ongoing aimed to determine related needs of the principal correctional facilities in Port Harcourt and Lagos.

“These efforts complement the already ongoing work of UNODC in partnership with UNFPA and UNAIDS aimed to improve the access  of prisoners, in particular women and girls, to health services, including HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care.”

The statement further read that: “As Federal and State Government, civil society and international development partners continue to work towards putting an end to more than ten years of conflict in North East Nigeria, the role of the Nigerian Correctional Service has rarely, if ever, been the focus of attention. Despite its critical role in rehabilitating offenders, including those who perpetuated acts of terrorism, only limited resources have been invested both by Government and its partners. And yet, the ultimate objective of imprisonment, namely to protect society against crime and terrorism, can only be achieved if the period of imprisonment is used to ensure that offenders are both able to support themselves and willing to lead a law-abiding life upon release.”

UNODC Begins Assessment Work on Rehabilitation of Lagos, Port Harcourt Correctional Facilities

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Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma neutralise three bandits in Katsina

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Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma neutralise three bandits in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma have neutralised three suspected armed bandits during a gun battle in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Military sources told Zagazola Makama the incident occurred on March 4 at about 4:14 p.m. when the bandits attacked a farmer, Alaramma Lawal Musa, 34, from Barkinshi Village, while he was on his way to his farm on the outskirts of the community.

The sources said the victim resisted the attack and managed to stab one of the assailants with a knife before the bandits inflicted serious machete cuts on him.

Troops stationed at Super Camp Machika were immediately alerted and swiftly mobilised to the scene. “On arrival, the troops intercepted the fleeing bandits and engaged them in a gun duel.

“During the exchange of fire, three of the suspected bandits were neutralised, while others escaped into nearby bushes,” the source said.

He added that troops recovered one Honda motorcycle believed to have been used by the bandits for their operations in the area.

The injured farmer was evacuated to the Comprehensive Hospital in Dandume for medical attention and was reported to be responding to treatment.

Security operatives have since intensified patrol and surveillance in the area to track down other fleeing members of the gang.

Operation Fansan Yanma has sustained military offensive against banditry and other criminal activities across the North-West region.

Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma neutralise three bandits in Katsina

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Police foil abduction in Kano, one killed

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Police foil abduction in Kano, one killed

By: Zagazola Makama

Security operatives have foiled an abduction attempt in Rantan Village, Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State, rescuing two victims, while one person lost his life during the incident.

Security sources told Zagazola that the attack occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on March 2, following a distress call from a resident.

According to the source, about 15 armed hoodlums invaded the residence of one Fulani Bakwai and abducted him alongside his neighbour, Mohd Bello.

“In the course of the attack, the assailants shot Musa Mohd Bello, 25, on the left leg when he attempted to resist,” the source said.

Operatives, in collaboration with local vigilante members, swiftly mobilised to the scene and pursued the suspects.

The joint team successfully rescued the abducted victims as the suspects fled into nearby bushes.

The injured victim was rushed to Tiga General Hospital for medical attention but was later certified dead.

His remains were subsequently released to his family for burial.

Authorities said normalcy had been restored in the area, while efforts were being intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

Investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Police foil abduction in Kano, one killed

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Two additional ISWAP prominent Qaids neutralised in Sambisa air strikes

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Two additional ISWAP prominent Qaids neutralised in Sambisa air strikes

By: Zagazola Makama

Two additional prominent qaids of the ISWAP have been confirmed neutralised in the recent precision air strikes conducted at Yuwe in the Sambisa general area of Borno.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the two senior terrorist leaders killed in the strikes are Ali G3, identified as the qaid in charge of Yuwe, and Abdullahi Muga, also a qaid within the group’s command structure.

Their deaths come after initial reports confirmed the neutralisation of other key figures, including Saddam and Saleh Garin Kago, both described as senior commanders, as well as Hussaini Ubaida and Ba Alayi Benbem.

The air interdiction mission was carried out by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI at about 6:08 a.m. on Friday following confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) on structures identified as terrorist command hideouts and logistics warehouses within the Yuwe axis.

“Upon confirmation of the targets, the aircraft acquired and engaged the selected objectives with precision-guided munitions,” a source said.

Post-strike battle damage assessment indicated that the identified command hubs and logistics facilities were effectively destroyed, significantly degrading the operational capacity of the terrorists in the Sambisa corridor.

The sources added that the earlier-mentioned commanders have also been confirmed dead, while efforts are underway to obtain the identities of other prominent qaids and ISWAP commanders believed to have been neutralised during the operation.

Military authorities reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist leadership structures and consolidating recent gains in the North-East.

Two additional ISWAP prominent Qaids neutralised in Sambisa air strikes

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