Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Tuesday 6th April 2021
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 06/04/21
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E2%80%93prison-service-boss Imo Jailbreak: 6 Inmates Returned, 35 Refused To Escape –Prison Service Boss
The Nigerian Correctional Service has said six inmates voluntarily returned while 35 others refused to escape from custody after the correctional facility was attacked on Monday in Owerri, Imo state.
The acting Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS, John Mrabure, disclosed this in a statement signed by the spokesman for corrections, Francis Enobore.
According to the statement, Mrabure has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and appealed to the good citizens of Imo state and Nigerians to volunteer useful intelligence to recapture the fleeing inmates.
The statement read: “The Owerri Custodial Centre in Imo State has been attacked by unknown gunmen and forcefully released a total of 1,844 inmates in custody.
“The attackers who stormed the facility at about 0215hrs on Monday 5th April 2021, gained entrance into the yard by using explosives to blast the administrative block.
“They were said to have arrived at the centre in their large number in several Hilux pick-up vans and Sienna buses armed with sophisticated weapons and immediately engaged the security personnel on duty in a fierce gun battle. They eventually detonated the explosive to gain entrance.
“The Acting Controller-General of Corrections, John Mrabure has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and in collaboration with other security organizations, commenced a search and recovery operations to recapture the fleeing inmates.
“While appealing to the good citizens of Imo State and indeed Nigerians to volunteer useful intelligence that will facilitate the recovery effort, the Ag. Controller-General wishes to assure that the security of custodial centres in the country remains sacrosanct.
“He equally directed all officers attached to custodial facilities to remain vigilant at this trying moment in our history. As at the last count, 6 inmates have so far voluntarily returned to the facility while 35 inmates refused to escape from custody during the attack.”
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Residents Panic As Series Of 4.0 Magnitude Earthquakes Hit Los Angeles
A swarm of small earthquakes has hit the Los Angeles city in the United States, rattling the nerves of many residents, who were jolted awake by two of the stronger quakes.
A magnitude-4.0 earthquake was reported at 4:44 am on Monday near Inglewood, less than half an hour after two smaller foreshocks hit the same area.
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The larger quake was felt across Southern California, according to the US Geological Survey.
A magnitude-3.3 temblor that preceded it hit the same area at 4:15 am, while a magnitude-2.5 shaker struck at the same time about two miles away.
Residents in the Los Angeles area were woken up by the series of earthquakes with the biggest having a 4.0 magnitude, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The epicentre was reportedly just southwest of Hollywood Park Casino, at a depth of 11.8 miles. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The main earthquake was centered near Prairie and Century boulevards. It occurred less than a mile from Lennox, less than a mile from Hawthorne and one mile from Los Angeles.
By 8 am, nearly 40 aftershocks had rattled the Inglewood and Lennox area, according to Paul Caruso, a geophysicist at the US Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center in Colorado.
The main shock was “pretty deep for California,” at about 12 miles down, he said, noting that quakes in the area are typically about three miles deep. Deeper earthquakes are felt less strongly on the surface.
“We cannot predict earthquakes, but certainly there will be more aftershocks,” he added.
Earthquake expert Lucy Jones said on Twitter that the magnitude-4.0 quake was strong enough to be “felt by most people awake in LA.”
She added it was likely not on any mapped faults.
The foreshock and flurry of aftershocks occurred at about the same depth, Jones said.
According to Los Angeles Magazine, the quake, which struck near Inglewood, hasn’t resulted in any damage that’s been reported.
According to the USGS, people reported feeling week to light shaking as far east as Twentynine Palms and as far south as San Diego.
Earthquake expert, Dr Lucy Jones, tweeted that the quake was “very deep” and “would have been felt by most people awake in L.A.” She added that the movement, which was accompanied by a 3.0-3.3 foreshock approximately a half-hour earlier, was “probably” not on any mapped fault.
According to Mayor Eric Garcetti, the Los Angeles Fire Department determined there wasn’t any damage.
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Kogi Government, Police Commissioner Responsible For Attack On Protesters Not Youths, Activist Says
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
A political rights activist in Kogi State, Austin Okai, has debunked claims that youths descended on two middle-aged protesters who were pasting Buhari-Must-Go posters in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
Okai alleged that the state governor, Yahaya Bello and the state commissioner of police, Ede Ayuba, sponsored thugs to attack the protesters, stating that the police commissioner aided Governor Yahaya Bello in legalising thuggery and destroying the social fabric of the state.
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Okai called on the state commissioner of police, asking him not to allow himself to be used by the state government as a tool in destabilising the state and infringing on the rights of citizens of the state.
He accused policemen in the state of unprofessional behaviour, especially among some of its high ranking officers with all its attendant negative effects on the national security architecture.
He went further to assert that peaceful protest is a fundamental right of every citizen; and that, protest against President Muhammadu Buhari has assumed a global dimension and that the people of Kogi state feel the impact of maladministration like citizens elsewhere in the country.
According to him, the state commissioner of police displayed unprofessional conduct “by playing a part in aiding of thugs who attacked citizens who were going about exercising their legitimate and democratic right to peaceful protest”, stating that, the police in Kogi state have developed the habit of aiding thuggery in the state.
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Kogi Hoodlums Torture Buhari-Must-Go Protesters, State Govt Supports Assault On Campaigners
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While calling for the unconditional release of the peaceful protesters, Okai accused Kogi state government of playing the politics of ‘anything goes’ just to please Buhari.
He went on to say that Kogi state is not for Buhari and has never been for Buhari in any peaceful election.
He said, “The narrative that the protesters were arrested by youths in the state is nothing but an attempt by the Kogi state government to discredit the popular disapproval of the people of the state for everything All Progressives Congress.”
The political rights activist said he can authoritatively confirm that the protesters were arrested by the police who handed them over to the thugs, who physically assaulted them and later returned them to the police.Okai insisted that the comissioner of police will be held responsible should anything happen to the arrested protesters.A mob on Sunday descended on two middle-aged protesters who were pasting Buhari-Must-Go posters in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.According to reports, the irate mob flogged the two youths, filmed them and brutalised them before they were later handed over to the police.It was gathered that the police thereafter quizzed the two protesters and detained them when they insisted on seeing their lawyer before making a statement.You cannot leave your state and come to our state to protest. Did we tell you we donâ??t want Buhari? ð???Kogi indigenes flog the Buhari must go protesters mercilessly pic.twitter.com/qouQTCqZk2— PigoHedligerð??³ð??¬ (@OfficialPigo) April 5, 2021
In videos that have gone viral, the protesters were seen being molested and questioned by the mob before they were flogged as the youths forced them to clean their painting of “Buhari Must Go.”
“Last night, these patriots were arrested by policemen attached to Governor Yahaya Bello in Lokoja, Kogi State. They were taken to the state police command and detained. However, this morning, the Commissioner of Police handed over to Bello’s thugs for torture and humiliation.
“I spoke to the Commissioner this morning and he told me he was with them, only to hand them over to thugs to be tortured and humiliated all over Lokoja,” a source explained.
Speaking with SaharaReporters, the CP, Ayuba Edeh, claimed the protesters were still with the police.
The police commissioner said, “It was vigilantes in town who arrested them and brought them to the command. They were in my office and I asked them what the matter was. They said they came from other states to protest in Lokoja. I asked them to write it down in a statement but they said they would not talk until their lawyer comes.
“So, I asked the policemen to let their lawyer come. We did not release them to the hoodlums. They are still with the police.”
Meanwhile, the state government in a statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja supported the attack on the youths, saying they were from Benue state.
“The Kogi State Government wishes to commend the gallant and ever vigilant youths of the state for rising to the occasion to crush the ungodly campaign by some imported and sponsored youths who came to the State to campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The sponsored youths congregated at Benue State from where they moved to Kogi State and began to paint walls as well as display anti-Buhari posters that were printed in a South-South state,” the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo said.
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BREAKING: Five Of 39 Abducted Kaduna Students Regain Freedom
Five out of the 39 kidnapped students abducted by bandits at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization Afaka in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state have regained their freedom.
This is coming 25 days that the students were abducted from their hostels by the gunmen dressed in military uniform.
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Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement said the five students were recovered by troops of the Nigerian Army on Monday afternoon.
“The Nigerian military has informed the Kaduna State Government that five of the many kidnapped students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna were recovered this afternoon and are presently in a military facility where they are undergoing a thorough medical check-up.
“The Kaduna State Government will provide updates on further operational feedback to be received on this case,” the statement read.
Parents of the abducted students had earlier vowed to go ahead with negotiation with the bandits to secure the release of their children irrespective of the stand of the Kaduna state government against doing so.
The government had eon Sunday vowed to prosecute anyone caught negotiating with bandits on its behalf, maintaining the earlier position that it will not pay any ransom or negotiate the bandits, but wipe them out.
In reaction to this warning by the state government, Chairman of Afaka parents Association, Samuel Kambai on Monday said the parents will do anything possible to get the children out of captivity including negotiating with the bandits no matter the consequences.
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E2%80%93-buhari Imo Attack On Prison, Police Headquarters Is Act Of Terrorism – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has described Monday’s attack on the police command headquarters and the correctional facility in Owerri, Imo State as an act of terrorism.
The president therefore directed security agencies to go after the assailants and bring them to justice.
President Muhammadu Buhari
This was disclosed on Monday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement on Twitter titled “President Buhari condemns daring terrorist attacks in Imo.”
The statement by Shehu read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the deadly insurgent attack that took place on the Police Command Headquarters and the Correctional Facility in Owerri, Imo State, on Monday, calling it an act of terrorism.
“In his reaction to the incident early on Monday, President Buhari praised the initial response by security guards and security forces for preventing greater loss of life and the destruction of public property.
“The President directed security and intelligence agencies in the state and the geo-political zone to fully mobilize and go after the terrorists, apprehend them and get them punished under the full weight of the law.
“He also called for the best efforts to be made to rearrest fleeing prison detainees, many of whom are believed to be deadly criminals.
“President Buhari then appealed to members of the public to assist the law enforcement agencies with any relevant information that could lead to the apprehension of these criminals who perpetrated this despicable act.
“He also urged members of the public to be vigilant as all of us have a stake in preserving our way of life from disruption by terrorists and anarchists while the Federal Government will use every available tool at its disposal to confront and terminate this bare-faced anarchy.”
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) had earlier said 1,844 inmates escaped following the attack on its custodial centre in Owerri on Monday.
Francis Enobore, the spokesperson for the correctional centre disclosed this in a statement.
SaharaReporters had reported how armed men in the early hours of Monday attacked the facility, freeing some inmates.
They also proceeded to the State Police Headquarters where they set ablaze the building and destroyed all vehicles within the vicinity.
The police have however accused the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its security outfit, Eastern Security Network for the attack.
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TIMELINE: How 4,058 Prisoners Were Freed In Attacks On Prisons, Police Cells In Last Six Months
Hoodlums and other criminals have consistently unleashed attacks on police stations and correctional facilities across the country since the #EndSARS protest.
In October 2020, several Nigerian youths protesting against extrajudicial killings and police brutality thronged the streets to demand the proscription of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
However, the protests were hijacked by hoodlums who inflicted injuries on peaceful protesters while committing other atrocities.
On October 19, 2020, the Nigerian authorities claimed that nearly 2,000 inmates broke out of jail after crowds attacked a prison in Edo and Ondo respectively.
According to the Interior Ministry spokesman, Mohammed Manga, an armed group of people attacked two prison facilities, subduing the guards on duty.
He said 1,993 inmates were missing in the Edo Prison break
“Most of the inmates held at the centres are convicted criminals serving terms for various criminal offences, awaiting execution or standing trial for violent crimes,” he said in a statement.
On October 22, 2020, over 58 inmates at the National Correctional Service Centre in Okitipupa, Ondo State escaped during another prison break.
On April 5, 2021, SaharaReporters reported how over 2, 000 inmates were freed at the office of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Imo state police command.
It was reported that the gunmen freed all the suspects in almost all the cells at the SCID.
This brings the total number of reported freed inmates as a result of jailbreaks to an estimated number of 4, 058 in the past six months.
Attackers have also carried out several operations on police stations and officers in the past six months.
On 20th October 2020, thugs attacked and set Orile Iganmu Police Station ablaze.
According to reports, an officer at Orile shot and killed a resident which aggravated the anger of hoodlums, whom had already tagged Orile Station as one of the most corrupt in the state.
February 6, 2020, unknown gunmen attacked Obowo divisional police headquarters located at Umulowe autonomous community in Imo state and killed two officers on duty.
On February 26, 2020, hoodlums invaded the Aboh Mbaise Divisional Police Headquarters, in the state, engaged the officers on duty in a gun duel, wounding a policewoman, setting the structure on fire, and carted away yet-to-be disclosed items, according to sources.
On March 10, 2021, scores of angry and restive youths in Isinweke, Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State invaded a police station in the area, chased away police officers on duty, and set the facility ablaze.
Vehicles, structures, and equipment within the vicinity were also torched.
The youths were said to be on a revenge mission after an alleged shooting to the death of two biological siblings.
On March 21, 2021, it was reported that there was an attack on Isiala Mbano Divisional Police headquarters located at Umuelemai in Imo State.
The police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, who confirmed the attack on the police facility, said that no rifle was carted away by the attackers.
Ikeokwu also said that the gunmen were unable to burn down the facility but succeeded in setting files ablaze and injuring one of the policemen on duty.
Robbers, in some instances, headed to police stations deliberately to kill cops and vandalise the stations before embarking on their brutal operations.
The police in Oyo State disclosed that five stations were burnt by hoodlums during the violence that trailed the #EndSARS protests in the state.
Lagos State Police command said 25 stations were razed during the #EndSARS protest including Amukoko, Layeni, Ilasamaja, Ikotun, Ajah, Igando, Elemoro, Makinde, Onipanu, Ebute-Ero, Pen-Cinema, Isokoko, Alade, Cele, Igbo Elerin, Shibiri, Gbagada, Onilekere, Makoko, Daleko, Asahun, Makinyo, Amuwo-Odofin and Anti-Kidnapping, Surulere. Police stations in Ojoo, Ojodu, Mowo, PPL and Morogbo in the state were also vandalised, but not burnt.
Last year, suspected armed robbers attacked the divisional police headquarters at Igueben, Edo State, carting away arms and ammunition and injuring two officers. The assailants reportedly used an explosive device, believed to be locally-made dynamite, to gain access to the facility.
In December, a mob burnt a police station in Igboukwu in the Aguata LGA of Anambra State.
Also, on March 30, 2021, unidentified gunmen killed a Chief Superintendent of Police, Benedict Okoh Ajide and other police officers in the Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state.
The gunmen also killed a yet-to-be ascertained number of military officers while many others were injured. During the attack, the armed louts reportedly headed for the armoury to steal arms and ammunition.
The police leadership disclosed that 22 officers died and 205 police stations and formations torched nationwide following the #EndSARS protests.
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Buhari Need Not Transmit Power He Can Govern From Pit Of Hell! By Bayo Oluwasanmi
Tuesday, March 30, 2021, General Muhammadu Buhari for the 12th time jetted to London, UK for “routine medical check up.” Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu said it was unnecessary for Buhari to transmit power to the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. “He (Buhari) will continue from wherever he is,” says Shehu. We have been here before. Nothing is new in Nigeria, a country of absurdities.
Oxford dictionary defines the word “absurdity” as “the quality or state of being ridiculous or wildly unreasonable.” If you stretched the meaning of absurd, it also implies something that makes no sense. Something that is stupid and funny at the same time. The historical list of absurdities in Nigeria is absurdly long and varied. Absurdities abound in Nigeria at all levels from highest to lowest. Some are of serious nature. Some evoke a sense of despair. Few bring a wry smile on one’s face. Absurdities have become part of Nigeria way of life. Some examples: We have rivers, lakes, and dams but no drinkable water. Hospitals without doctors, nurses, beds, and drugs. Electricity companies bill consumers for darkness.
Terrorists are called bandits. Terrorists are appeased, bribed, courted, rehabilitated, and pardoned. Fire trucks are without water. Airports with no landing lights and running toilets. Schools with leaking roofs or no roofs at all. Students without desks and chairs to sit on. Grocery stores with empty shelves. National Assembly is National Asylum. It’s mediocrity instead of meritocracy. These and many anomalies supply us with some truths about absurdities in Nigeria. Morbid statistics are on the rise daily.
During Buhari’s first term, it took him six months to name his cabinet. As a nepotist, his appointments to federal ministries, agencies, and corporations are skewed in favor of his Fulani ethnic brethren. Buhari has renamed Nigeria to Federal Republic of Fulani. Nigerians are familiar with these and litany of absurdities that have become the constitution of the country. Why then do we complain that Buhari didn’t transmit power to his vice while in the UK? Why are we mad that he frequents UK hospital for treatment? Why?
Shehu was right that Buhari can govern wherever he is – even from the pit of hell! After all, this is how he has been ruling Nigeria for the past six years with no peace, progress, and prosperity. This again explains why Yorubas are leaving Nigeria. Our departure from Nigeria is closer than it seems.
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German Consulate Denies Nigerians Visa Appointments To Study, Block Accounts After Collecting Millions Of Naira From Them
Some Nigerian applying for master’s academic programmes in Germany have allegedly accused the German Consulate in Nigeria of refusing to offer them visa appointments after paying an exorbitant amount of money.
They alleged that they have been experiencing this for three consecutive academic sessions, adding that the German government has been giving excuses for its action.
They lamented the huge amount of money spent in filing applications and how their efforts were futile.
A report by one of the applicants on behalf of the affected persons said, “For three successive academic sessions, forthcoming Nigerian master’s students admitted to study courses in Germany have not been welcome to the embassy for an interview (they were not denied visa). The explanation given by the consulate that the visa appointment was fully booked out was simply communicating ineptitude.”
The victims bemoaned the time and money invested in pursuing academic programmes in Germany which have borne no positive results.
One of the affected applicants told SaharaReporters that “a student offers his time typically months (30 days +) applying to various schools up to 3, 4, or more, composing and editing applications, motivation letters, responding to questions like motivation behind why they pick their course and the school, sending mails with the courier at practically N30,000 (DHL which I use regularly) per mail, pay Uniassist (admission body) 75 euros (N25,000 depending on fluctuating exchange rate) per application. Pay school for an application and again enrolment fees (e.g. TUM).
“And finally selected amongst other international competing students for admission. We make it look easy; however, it isn’t. Most of us are self-sponsored with brilliant determination. What’s more, the consulate would not give a competent reason why they would prefer not to meet with this student for an interview.
“In my case, I applied for an interview in October 2020, and school resumption was on April 12, 2021. I was informed on March 31, 2021 that I would not be granted an interview.
“Most of the students have already transferred 10,000 euros (N5.5 million, compulsory fee) to German blocked accounts since last year. A lot of them are no longer interested in travelling, the sponsor is demanding a refund since they were not interviewed and some need the money back so they can reapply to school elsewhere, since last year.
“Now, it is not possible to get these funds because a visa refusal letter is a required document to get the funds back. Now the embassy could not interview the students, keeping our studies on hold.”
They, however, enumerated necessary things that the German consulate should offer them to end their predicament.
“We need transparency from the consulate, we need information we can work with, not aimlessly applying without a yes or no whether we would get an appointment like ‘summer applications are limited, try winter’ or ‘If you do not have a scholarship letter or a first-class, do not apply.’ It helps scale them a number of applicants, making the screening process less stressful.”
He further explained that, “Education is a priority, and it is clearly stated on the embassy website.
“If a student, having invested his time and funds going through the long application procedure. What’s more, the school acknowledges, in the wake of putting him/her higher than other international contending students, the consulate ought to hear him/her out (interview), and ascertain if he/she meets the models for migrating to Germany.
“Presently, there is a major distinction between denying a visa and not being welcomed for an interview. The former being refusal of student visa after interview means that the student doesn’t meet the necessary models for migrating which is an acknowledged system used by all consulates, while the latter, that is not being welcomed for an interview on the basis of having a large influx of application is an instance of the consulate not being competent to handle student visa processing. It is reasonable if a student is being denied a visa than an interview appointment.
“If the applications are many, they can opt for third party assistance. India uses VFS global. And they travel with ease for their studies. Irrespective of the number of students, we already pay. Up to N30,000 for visa handling, it should be able to cater for the extra aid. Assuming they get a gigantic number of utilisations, we might want to know.
“April and October being an already established date for school resumption, the embassy if being handled by a competent head, should opt for temporary expansion of the workforce during these peak periods. The embassy should anticipate beforehand the huge influx of students and make adjustments towards expanding their workforce. Students already pay a visa fee up to N30,000. Ideally, it ought to cater for the additional guide they would require.
“If there are restrictions placed on Nigerian students travelling to Germany probably based on previous performance of other Nigerians or for general reasons, the embassy should communicate with us, we find it reasonable to attempt other countries than waiting for an opportunity that would not come.”
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E2%80%98unknown-gunmen%E2%80%99-attacked-imo-prison-freed-1844-inmates-%E2%80%93-spokesperson UPDATE: How ‘Unknown Gunmen’ Attacked Imo Prison, Freed 1,844 Inmates – Spokesperson
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) says 1,844 inmates escaped following the attack on its custodial centre in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Francis Enobore, the spokesperson for the correctional centre disclosed this in a statement.
SaharaReporters had reported how armed men in the early hours of Monday attacked the facility, freeing some inmates.
They also proceeded to the State Police Headquarters where they set ablaze the building and destroyed all vehicles within the vicinity.
Enobore said the attack was carried out by “unknown gunmen” who gained entrance into the yard by using explosives to blast the administrative block.
He added that a comprehensive investigation into the incident has been ordered by the Acting Controller-General of Corrections, John Mrabure.
The statement read, “The Owerri Custodial Centre in Imo State has been attacked by unknown gunmen and forcefully released a total of 1,844 inmates in custody.
“The attackers who stormed the facility at about 0215hrs on Monday 5th April, 2021, gained entrance into the yard by using explosives to blast the administrative block.
“They were said to have arrived at the centre in their large number in several Hilux pick-up vans and Sienna Buses armed with sophisticated weapons and immediately engaged the security personnel on duty in a fierce gun battle. They eventually detonated the explosive to gain entrance.
“The Acting Controller-General of Corrections, John Mrabure has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and in collaboration with other security organisations, commenced a search and recovery operations to recapture the fleeing inmates.
“While appealing to the good citizens of Imo State and indeed Nigerians to volunteer useful intelligence that will facilitate the recovery effort, the Ag. The Controller-General wishes to assure that the security of custodial centres in the country remains sacrosanct.
“He equally directed all officers attached to custodial facilities to remain vigilant at this trying moment in our history.
“As at the last count, 6 inmates have so far voluntarily returned to the facility while 35 inmates refused to escape from custody during the attack.”
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Parents Of Abducted Kaduna Students Dare El-Rufai, Vow To Negotiate With Bandits
Parents of the students abducted from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in Kaduna state have vowed to negotiate with bandits to secure the release of their children despite the state government’s opposition to the idea.
On March 11, gunmen stormed the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka in the Igabi area of Kaduna, abducting schoolboys and girls said to be 39 in number.
The state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, however, said he will not negotiate or pay ransom to bandits in exchange for kidnapped persons.
Speaking at the presentation of the state 2020 security report in March, El-Rufai said his government had ruled out the issue of negotiation with bandits.
Also, in a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Homeland Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, on Sunday, the government said it will “prosecute” any person negotiating with bandits.
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Abductions: Anyone Caught Negotiating With Bandits On Our Behalf Will Be Prosecuted – Kaduna Government
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“The attention of the Kaduna State Government under the leadership of Governor Nasir El-Rufai has been drawn to reports in the media that it has appointed representatives to interface with bandits on its behalf.
“The Kaduna State Government hereby clarifies firmly that such intermediaries have never been appointed.
“The position of the Kaduna State Government remains the same: The Government will not negotiate with or pay ransoms to bandits. Any person who claims to do so in any capacity, if found, will be prosecuted accordingly.
“Citizens are urged to report the details of any persons posing as official government negotiators to the Kaduna State Security Operations Room on 09034000060 and 08170189999, or email internal.security@kdsg.gov.ng,” the statement read.
But speaking at a press briefing in Kaduna on Monday, the parents of the abducted students said, “We cannot sit and do nothing.”
The parents — who had earlier staged a protest to demand the release of their children — said they will do everything within their power to secure the release of the students.
Sam Kambai, who spoke on behalf of the parents, also accused the Kaduna State Government of abandoning them to their fate.
Kambai said: “If we have the means of reaching the bandits, we will negotiate with them. We are ready to negotiate for the lives of our children. We will not allow (the) government to destroy our children in the bush. We are also working hard to get their contact.
“Today makes it 25 dreary and excruciatingly difficult days since our children have been in captivity. For the record, the governor of Kaduna state has never addressed the parents of these students from the first day of the incident until now. They have shown no concern about the trauma the parents have been enduring.
“We have not received any words of empathy or assurance from (the) government nor have we seen any action to inspire confidence that something is being done to secure the safe release of our children.
“As parents, we cannot sit on our hands and do nothing and that we would do everything within our capacity to ensure the safe release of our children. We wish to reiterate that we will do everything within our power, everything humanly possible, with the help of God, to ensure that our children do not perish.”
The parents said it was “the failure of the government to live up to its primary responsibility of securing life” that led to the kidnap, adding that they were disappointed with how el-Rufai had managed the situation.
They faulted the governor for failing to provide an update on the situation in his Easter message on Saturday.
“For us, it was a confirmation of our fear that the government has abandoned our children. We can never abandon our children and we will do whatever we can to see that we get them back,” they said.
“We will continue to do our best until we have our children back. We call on all Nigerians and the international community to support us in our efforts for the safe return to us of our children soonest.”
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