Nation
Correctional Service Seeks Strengthened Collaboration With NSCDC
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Enugu State Command, has called for strengthening of partnership with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Enugu State Command, to ensure security at custodial centres.
The Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Mr Nicholas Obiako, made the call over the weekend in Enugu when he received the new Commandant of NSCDC, Enugu State Command, Mr Alloyious Udeh, in his office in Enugu.
Obiako, who welcomed the new Commandant, assured him of a good working relationship with him in the same way the Command did with his predecessors.
He stated that the two services under the same ministry should complement each other to achieve national security, noting that “this Command is looking forward to a high level of cooperation to continue to make Enugu State safe for business and development.”
The controller also informed the Commandant that the State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, had been supportive to the Command.
Earlier, Udeh, in company of his management team, said he came to chart a more formidable course on how to secure custodial centres under his command area of responsibility.
The Commandant noted that synergy remained the bedrock of achieving maximum security, saying, “I am pledging the support of the NSCDC towards protection of the three custodial centres as a critical National Asset that needs not to be breached,” he added.
Udeh further explained that the visit was also in line with the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbsola, directive to the newly posted commandants of NSCDC.
Highlights of the visit were an interactive session and exchange of souvenirs.
By: Canice Amadi, Enugu
The Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi, has granted bail to 91 inmates.
He also completely discharged four others during the first-quarter jail delivery exercise for 2025 at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Katsina.
Speaking at the event yesterday, Justice Danladi explained that the Sub-Committee on Decongestion of Correctional Centres carefully assessed the cases before recommending the inmates for release.
Factors considered included age, length of time spent in custody, and medical conditions.
He further announced that going forward, the personal details and photographs of released inmates would be officially recorded to ensure proper documentation and accountability.
Addressing the freed individuals, he urged them to stay on the right side of the law, emphasising that another chance at clemency might not be available if they reoffend.
The Katsina State Controller of Corrections, CC Umar Baba, praised the initiative, stating that such interventions ease congestion, improve prison conditions, and support rehabilitation efforts.
He also called on judges and magistrates to consider alternative sentencing options to prevent unnecessary detentions and allow correctional facilities to focus on reforming and reintegrating offenders into society.
The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has struck out murder charges against Ooni of Ife’s ex-wife, Queen Naomi Silekunola; the owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and principal of Islamic High School, Abdullahi Fasasi.
The Tide’s source recalls that the trio have been facing murder charges following the December 2024 children’s event stampede that led to the death of 35 children.
Justice B. K. Olawoyin delivering judgment yesterday, ruled that holding the defendants liable could discourage the public from engaging in humanitarian activities.
The court dismissed the four count charge, which included acceleration of death, conspiracy, negligent acts causing harm and failure to provide adequate medical facilities and security.
The Nigerian Military high command has stated that it is unaware of any community in the Northwest negotiating or entering peace agreements with bandits and terrorists for protection.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, dismissed reports suggesting such peace deals.
He questioned why any community would resort to negotiations, given the sustained military offensives against terrorist groups.
“The military is carrying out its operations in line with established protocols for internal security. If any community claims to be seeking peace with bandits, the military does not support that,” Kangye asserted.
He further emphasised that joint military operations, in collaboration with hybrid forces and other security agencies, have remained relentless in tackling terrorism and organised crime.
Throughout the past week, troops conducted a series of combat patrols, raids, ambushes, clearance operations, and search-and-rescue missions, resulting in significant successes.
According to Kangye, several terrorists were neutralised, their collaborators were captured, and kidnapped victims were successfully rescued.