NCoS Launches Manhunt for Six Escapees from Ilesa Prison

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has launched an expansive manhunt following the rainfall that breached the security of its facility at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ilesa, Osun State.

According to a statement on Tuesday by the NCoS spokesman, Umar Abubakar: “The force majeure which occurred at about 0200hours on Tuesday, 20th of May 2025 led to the escape of seven (7) inmates.”

Umar said: “Following the incident, the Controller General of Corrections (CGC), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape.

“The service is working closely with sister security agencies as well as community leaders to recapture the escapees and bring them back to custody.”

He added that: “However, the Service solicits the cooperation and support of the public in providing information that may lead to the recapture of the fleeing inmates. Anyone with information should please contact the nearest security agency or call the NCoS Response Desk lines as follows: 07087086005, 09060004598, 08075050006.”

NCoS Launches Manhunt for Six Escapees from Ilesa Prison

Environmental Degradation Not in Tandem with Spirit of National Anthem, Oppresses Most Vulnerable Nigerians-FG

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has decried that environmental degradation is not in tandem with the spirit of Nigeria’s national anthem as it oppresses the most vulnerable Nigerians.

Speaking at the Circular and POPS-free Plastics in Africa Project Inception Workshop in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal said: “As we reflect on the words of our national anthem, “Help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed,” we must recognize that environmental degradation is indeed a form of oppression. It disproportionately affects the most vulnerable groups in our midst and limits opportunities for future generations.”

The Minister noted that: “This project represents our collective determination to break free from this oppression and build a Nigeria where both people and nature can thrive.”

Lawal while declaring the workshop opened, said: “I wish to express my profound appreciation to all critical partners who have made this initiative possible, namely: the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for financial support; UN Environment, the Implementing Agency, for providing technical support; and BCCC- Africa, for its resourcefulness in providing guidance for the project implementation. To NESREA, the performing environmental police in Nigeria – your commitment to environmental protection and your role as the National Executing Partner is deeply appreciated.”

He noted that Nigeria, as one of the five beneficiary-nations in Africa, has an ample opportunity to, among others: reduce the import, production and use of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in plastics-containing products in the automobile, construction and electronics sectors) and the generation of unintentionally-produced POPs (UPOPs), with their attendant burdens of pollution and morbidity in our environment; identify safe, eco-friendly and effective alternatives to POPs- containing plastics as well as suitable technologies to manage POPs-contaminated waste in an environmentally sound manner; and adopt and enforce upstream policies and financial instruments, to implement circular economy practices and eliminate or replace problematic products with more sustainable alternatives.

He said the cross-cutting dimension of POPs Management and plastic pollution, including the magnitude of associated challenges call for collective responsibility among all sectoral stakeholders, stressing that: “It is therefore heartwarming to note an equitable representation of high-level policy makers, the dedicated presence of ‘Basel Centre’, the Industry, Academia, Civil Society Organisations, and our Development Partners, whose expertise, vast wealth of experience and solemn commitment wil be brought to bear in actuating successful delivery of the project.”

He decried that while plastics have brought undeniable benefits to modern life, in the absence of an effective waste management strategy and circular economy system, more than three-quarters of scrap plastics get discarded and dispersed in open dumps, burnt, clog the drainage system and ultimately discharged into the marine environment as microplastics.

On his part, the Director General/CEO, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor said on this historic inception workshop for the Circular and POPs-Free Plastics in Africa Project. “Today, we gather as partners, stakeholders, and custodians of our environment to embark on a transformative journey that will shape Nigeria’s environmental future for generations to come.”

He noted that: “The significance of this gathering cannot be overstated. We are here to address one of the most complex and pressing environmental challenges of our time – the pervasive threat posed by Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in plastic materials. POPs are carcinogenic and mutagenic, causing cancer, genetic mutations, neurological damage, reproductive problems, and immunological disorders. Exposure to POPs has severe long-term health consequences.

“POPs disrupt ecological systems, threatening aquatic ecosystems and human health. “

He noted that: “Many chemical additives used during plastic production to provide the finished plastics products (e.g. plastic housing units of electronics) with unique properties (including plasticity and fire retardancy) are classified as POPs. A typical example is polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, including penta-BDE, octa-BDE and deca-BDE). These chemicals are toxic, chemically stable and readily accumulate in the environment and living organisms.

“These toxic substances represent a silent crisis, accumulating in our ecosystems, permeate our food chains, and posing severe risks to human health and biodiversity when end-of-life plastics from electronics are not properly managed. As Nigeria’s apex environmental regulatory agency, NESREA recognizes both the gravity of this challenge and the tremendous opportunity this project presents for gradual and systemic change.

“In Nigeria, our focus on the electronics sector under this project is particularly strategic. Our nation has overtime, emerged as a regional hub for electronic goods in West Africa, with all the attendant responsibilities, advantages and disadvantages this position entails. While we celebrate the economic opportunities this brings, we must also confront the environmental implications. The lifecycle of electronic products – from production to disposal – presents multiple points where POPs could be released into the environment. This project thus provides us with the necessary tools, resources, and partnerships we require to transform this sector into a model of environmental responsibility and circular economy principles.”

Environmental Degradation Not in Tandem with Spirit of National Anthem, Oppresses Most Vulnerable Nigerians-FG

Immigration, Customs, Police, Others Meet to Strategize on Ending Insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Police Force and other international security organisations are currently in talks on strategic moves to combat terrorism and other criminal activities on the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

Speaking in Lagos at the opening ceremony of ongoing Regional Workshop on Maritime Border security organised by the NIS on Tuesday, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap said the workshop emphasizes the collective resolve of governments in West and Central Africa to tackle piracy, terrorism, illicit flow of arms, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and stowaway, among other transnational organised crimes.

Nandap also noted that the Atlantic coast of the Gulf of Guinea, particularly near Nigeria, is notorious for piracy and other maritime crimes.

At the workshop themed: “Maritime Security in the Context of Counter-Terrorism in the Gulf of Guinea.” the NIS boss stated that maritime insecurity from illegal oil bunkering, fishing, piracy, armed robbery, and oil-related crimes is threatening vessel and crew safety, adding that these threats undermine regional stability and hinder economic growth and integration.

She said: “The theme of this Workshop, Maritime Border Security in the Context of Counter-Terrorism in the Gulf of Guinea, is apt and timely in evaluating and rethinking security under the present circumstances of evolving maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

“In addition, the ECOWAS Sub-Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff meeting was held in Praia, Cabo Verde, from February 25 to 27, 2025, to discuss critical maritime security issues in the region.

“This Workshop further emphasizes our collective resolve to tackle piracy, terrorism, illicit flow of arms, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and stowaway, among other transnational organised crimes. We aim to achieve this through sound policies, capacity building, community engagement, collaboration, and regional partnerships.

“Along West Africa’s Atlantic coast, the Gulf of Guinea is known for piracy, especially near Nigeria. It spans several countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, and Ghana. Due to its offshore oil and gas reserves, the region plays a crucial role in the global energy sector. Beyond oil and gas, harnessing the economic potential of the GoG resonates with Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want, and the 2050 African Integrated Marine Strategy, Policy Framework, and Reform strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa. However, maritime insecurity from illegal oil bunkering, fishing, piracy, armed robbery, and oil-related crimes threaten vessel and crew safety.

“These threats undermine regional stability and hinder economic growth and integration. And this is the reason why we are gathered here today to find actionable solutions.

“As the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, I know the urgent priority of innovating countermeasures by deploying advanced surveillance systems and communication technologies for early detection and response.

“Mitigating maritime threats in this vital region requires a broad spectrum of initiatives, not limited to international collaboration but fortifying defence capabilities in the marine domain. The NIS plays a pivotal role in maritime border security while ensuring that foreign terrorist fighters and other criminal elements do not exploit our territorial integrity.

“Passenger facilitation and control of travel documents are the root of all counter-terrorist interventions. We will continue to prioritize cooperation, professionalism, and deployment of cutting-edge technologies in the surveillance and management of our borders.

“Our gathering shows our commitment to AIMS 2050 and ECOWAS’s Gulf of Guinea strategy. We aim to create a peaceful maritime environment to maximize blue economy potential and achieve social, environmental, and economic goals in the Gulf of Guinea. The Nigeria Immigration Service is dedicated to utilizing API/PNR for better intelligence sharing and strengthen maritime security though robust visa administration where applicable.

“We recognize its benefits for air-border security and will expand our Border Management Information System (BMIS) to marine frontiers to counter international threats in the GoG.

“Our threats are transnational, and so must be our response. No agency or government involved in border security and migration management can operate independently. The NIS is committed to collaborating with regional and global partners to facilitate safe, orderly, and regular migration at sea without compromising security.

“Let us conclude this workshop with clear action plans, stronger partnerships, and a renewed determination to secure the Gulf of Guinea for prosperity and peace.”

As the Nigeria Immigration Service and its sister agencies await the compendium of good practices from the workshop, it is envisaged that the compilation should focus on strengthening cooperation among states, adhering to relevant international conventions and protocols, establishing joint task forces and intelligence fusion centres, building capacity, and deployment of advance technology as outlined in the Yaounde Code of Conduct 2013 and the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy.

Similarly, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized the need to close existing gaps in the country’s financial system, noting that terrorists have exploited these loopholes to fund their activities.

Speaking to journalists at the workshop, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, disclosed that the Police have finalized plans to strengthen marine security operations.

On his part, the minister for interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while declaring the event opened, appreciated the NIS for taking the lead in the needed move to review the country’s border strategic policy. He emphasized the importance of border security in the general wellbeing of Nigerians, while reiterating the readiness of the federal government to take difficult decisions in protecting the Nigerian border.

The gathering has in attendance, security and intelligence agent from Italy, Philippines, Mauritius, Togo, Britain, Cameroun, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, Seirra leone, Sao Tome, Germany and Denmark.

Immigration, Customs, Police, Others Meet to Strategize on Ending Insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea