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Minna Prison Break; 64 Re-Arrested, 211 At Large
1st Vice Chairman Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Rivers/Bayelsa State branch, Hon. Charles Beke (left) confering with Chairman Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Rivers/Bayelsa State branch, Mrs Ekama E. Akpan (right) during press briefing of 30th Annual General Meeting of MAN at the council in Port Harcourt recently. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson
The Comptroller General of Prisons, Dr. Peter Ekpendu, yesterday said 64 of the 270 inmates freed by gunmen that invaded the Medium Prison, Minna, Niger State, Saturday have been arrested while 211 of them have yet to be found.
Ekpendu stated this while briefing newsmen on the situation of the prison following the weekend attack by the gunmen during which prison guards were overpowered.
“I wish to state categorically that the incident, which took place less than 24 hours after handing and taking over between my predecessor and I is very unfortunate. It is completely unacceptable. We have to say any officer found culpable or found wanting will face the full wrath of the law.
“Meanwhile, I have ordered the immediate transfer of 55 officers of the state and zonal headquarters in the state to report at this prison and the old prison, Minna, to beef up security,” he said.
While appreciating the complementary efforts of the Army,Police, SSS and other security agencies in stabilising the security of the area, Ekpendu said search parties had been dispatched and spread over the state to apprehend the fleeing inmates.
He said investigation into the matter had commenced and rule out the involvement of Boko Haram in the attack.
The CGP said, “Modalities to checkmate these attacks are being put in place by my administration and I want to assure you of the peace of this prison and that of all prisons nationwide. On the last question of whether Boko Haram could be involved, preliminary report and having gone round the prison facilities and taken briefs from the officer in charge, the Comptroller of Prisons, there is no evidence to link Boko Haram with the incident of yesterday in this prison.”
Gunmen numbering about 10 stormed the state Maximum Prison along David Mark Road, Minna Saturday evening and set the prisoners free. Before forcing their way into the Prison, they were said to have shot the warders on duty.
The situation at the prison was however brought under normalcy after exchange of fireworks between the gunmen and the police for about 15 minutes. The warders who were injured were immediately rushed to the Minna General Hospital for treatment.
It was gathered that the gunmen accompanied the freed prisoners through a foot path to enable them escape.
The gunmen it was also gathered stormed the bye pass after leading the prisoners to escape and snatched vehicles from unsuspecting owners to ferry them out of danger.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.
