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Minna Prison Break; 64 Re-Arrested, 211 At Large

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11 years ago

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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

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.

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By John Bibor
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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.
On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.
Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.
It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.
The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.
Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.
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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.
The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.
The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.
It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.
The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.
Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.
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