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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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Six Arrested as Farmers, Herders Clash in Adamawa

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Six Arrested as Farmers, Herders Clash in Adamawa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested six suspects following a clash between farmers and herders in Waduku, Lamurde Local Government Area, which resulted in injuries to a villager and 11 cattle.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on April 2 when some herders allegedly trespassed into a rice farm and caused damage to the crops.

In retaliation, angry youths from the village attacked the herders, injuring their cattle and wounding one person identified as Righteous Boti from Nzumoso Village.

Security personnel visited the scene and held an emergency meeting with local stakeholders to prevent further escalation of violence.

The arrested suspects include Rabo Buba, 31; Ahmadu Adamu, 20; Stephen Pwagwadi, 17; Shadrach Simon, 19; Lot Gad, 20; and Righteous Boti, 27.

The injured individuals received treatment at the Tingno Primary Health Care Clinic and have since been discharged.

Six Arrested as Farmers, Herders Clash in Adamawa

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15 Arrested as Clash Between Nomadic Fulani and Hausa Community Leads to Fatality in Zamfara

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15 Arrested as Clash Between Nomadic Fulani and Hausa Community Leads to Fatality in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

A deadly clash broke out between members of the nomadic Fulani and Hausa communities at Dan Sokoto Model Primary School in Bungudu Township, Zamfara State, during the celebration of Eid-El-Fitr on April 1, 2025.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the altercation resulted in the death of 17-year-old Abbas Sani, a resident of Kuga Village.

He was found in a pool of blood and was rushed to General Hospital Bungudu, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel. The body was subsequently deposited at the hospital morgue.

In response to the incident, security forces launched an intensive raid in the area, leading to the arrest of 15 suspects.

15 Arrested as Clash Between Nomadic Fulani and Hausa Community Leads to Fatality in Zamfara

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Crime

Two Soldiers Attacked by Gunmen in Kaduna

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Two Soldiers Attacked by Gunmen in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Two soldiers from the 312 Battalion Kalapanzi Barracks in Kaduna were attacked by armed assailants on April 2, 2025, at Babar Saura around 4:41 PM.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makaka that three attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, shot the soldiers, leaving one, Corporal James (surname unknown), dead, and Private Ibrahim Bazalla injured. The assailants stole two AK-47 rifles from the soldiers before fleeing the scene.

The victims were rushed to the 44 Army Reference Hospital, where Corporal James was confirmed dead, while Private Bazalla is receiving medical treatment for his injuries.

Following a coordinated operation by the military, police and vigilante groups, the assailants were tracked to Degel2, Kaduna, where they abandoned a silver Toyota Corolla. As they attempted to escape, the attackers snatched a white Toyota Venza from a civilian, Abdullahi Mohammed, of Badarawa, Kaduna.

Efforts to arrest the suspects and recover the stolen vehicle are ongoing.

Two Soldiers Attacked by Gunmen in Kaduna

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