Kuje Prison has been trending since terrorists attacked the Medium Security Custodial Centre in the nation’s capital, on Tuesday night. Hundreds of inmates, including all the Boko Haram members in custody, were freed in the attack. There were reports that some the high-profile inmates had escaped until the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Umar Abubakar, confirmed that they were still in custody. Daily Trust lists some of the prominent inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje. ABBA KYARI Abba Kyari, Deputy Commissioner of Police and former head of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), over his alleged involvement in the 25 kg cocaine deal. A federal high court had on March 28 remanded Kyari and four others at a correctional centre after their bail application was refused. JOSHUA DARIYE In 2007, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred 23 counts of money laundering and alleged diversion of about N1.26 billion Plateau State Government’s ecological funds against Dariye, a former governor. Eleven years later, an FCT Court handed a 14-year jail term to Dariye. The sentence was then appealed and eventually the Supreme Court gave a final verdict of a 10 years sentence for the offence committed. He was serving his sentence in Kuje, but on April 14, 2022, the federal government granted him a presidential pardon. However, he is still in custody while perfecting his exit. PETER NWACHUKWU A Federal Capital Territory High Court had ordered that Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer, Osinachi, be remanded in Kuje Custodal Centre. Nwachuckwu was remanded pending the hearing and determination of the alleged homicide charge filed against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation. Nwachukwu was arrested by the Nigeria Police after his wife died on April 8 following widespread allegations by their children, family and colleagues that he battered her leading to her death. ABDULRASHEED MAINA A former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Force Team is being remanded at the Kuje Custodial Centre, pending the conclusion of his trial. Maina, who is being prosecuted by the EFCC on N2bn money laundering charges, had earlier jumped bail and fled to the Republic of Niger. He was extradited to Nigeria about two weeks after the court revoked his bail, ordered his arrest and directed that his trial would proceed in his absence pending when security agencies would be able to apprehend him. JOLLY NYAME Upon leaving office in 2007, Nyame, a two-term governor of Taraba State, was charged with N1.64 billion fraud, Nyame admitted to misappropriating N180 million out of N250 million meant for stationaries in Taraba State and offered to return the same. On May 30, 2018, Nyame was convicted by the High court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, under the ruling of Justice Adebukola Banjoko for the charges against him and was sentenced to 14 years in Kuje prison. He was asked to refund the monies he diverted. In November 2018, the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed his conviction on 29 counts. On 7 February 2020, the Supreme Court affirmed the 12-year jail term judgment and set aside the fines imposed on him by the courts on the grounds that they were outrageous and done without any prompting. Like, Dariye, Nyame was also granted a presidential pardon, though he is still in custody. WADUME Hamisu Bala better known as Wadume is a kidnap kingpin almost in the class of Evans. He was based in Taraba State but operated across the northern part of the country. He was arrested in August 2019 by the IRT and preliminary investigation revealed that he supplied arms and ammunition to terrorists. While he was being taken to Abuja for further investigation, police vehicle conveying him came under attack at a checkpoint manned by soldiers after passing the first military checkpoint. The soldiers at the second checkpoint said they were alerted that the occupants of the vehicle were kidnappers who had just kidnapped Wadume in his house and were taking him away to a hideout. Soldiers opened fire on the vehicle and three police officers and two civilians were killed while five others were injured. Wadume was freed by the soldiers but was later rearrested. He was arraigned on June 8, 2020 along with six others on a 13 count-charge bordering on terrorism and remanded in Kuje. DailyTrust

  The Peoples Democratic Party has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of complicity in the Tuesday night terrorist attack on Kuje Correctional Facility in Abuja. In a statement released late Wednesday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP queried the alleged redeployment of soldiers “who had become familiar with the terrain” from the facility 24 hours before the attack. The statement titled, ‘Terrorism: APC Complicit in Kuje Prison Attack – PDP Asserts…Queries Redeployment of Soldiers 24hrs Before Incidence’, partly read, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in the strongest possible term, the spate of insecurity and the audacity with which terrorists ravage our country unchallenged under the rudderless All Progressives Congress (APC) administration. “The simultaneous terrorist attacks on the advance convoy of President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina State as well as the Correctional Facility in Abuja, the nation’s capital, underscore the collapse of our security command and control structure under the failed, ineffective and uncoordinated Buhari-led APC administration. The terrorist attack on President Buhari’s convoy in his home State of Katsina as well as the ferocious invasion and the freeing of hundreds of terrorists and criminals from the Kuje Correctional Facility further confirm that Mr. President has lost control of the security of the nation and that Nigerians are no longer safe under the APC. “The escalated spate of terrorism across the country has heightened apprehensions of complicity by the APC to open up our nation to more terrorist attacks with the view to stall the 2023 general election. The failure of the APC administration to act on the intelligence provided by the Directorate of State Services (DSS) which on Tuesday July 5, 2022 reportedly warned of an impending attack on the Kuje Correctional Facility gives credence to fears by Nigerians of complicity at very high level of the APC administration. “This is in addition to further reports that soldiers deployed to the precinct of the Kuje Correctional Facility and who had become familiar with the terrain were redeployed 24 hours before the terrorists attacked.” The PDP called on the APC to explain to Nigerians who ordered the reported redeployment of soldiers 24 hours before the attack. The opposition party also demanded to know who failed to act on the intelligence reportedly shared by the DSS on the attack. “The PDP demands that the APC government should come clean on who ordered the reported redeployment of soldiers and who failed to act on the intelligence provided by the DSS. “Nigerians can recall the public confession by the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai at the wake of the bloody Abuja-Kaduna terrorist attack that the APC-led administration knows the whereabouts and the plans of the terrorists ravaging our nation but deliberately refused to act. Nigerians will also recall how APC leaders publicly romanced and paid money to terrorists,” the statement added. The statement further condemned the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)’s disposition to the attacks across the country, while questioning the president’s retention of the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, as head of a “very critical sector in the fight against terrorism in our country” in spite of his confession of affiliation to terrorists. “It is rather distressing that President Buhari appears helpless without any decisive and concrete steps taken to stem the tide of terrorist attacks in our country. “Even more curious is that President Buhari continues to retain Mr. Isa Pantami as Minister of Communication and Digital Economy to head and coordinate this very critical sector in the fight against terrorism in our country in spite of Isa Pantami’s confession of affiliation to terrorists. “With the sequence of events in the last 48 hours, it is clear to Nigerians that the APC government headed by President Buhari has failed in the basic purpose of government which is to secure life and properties of the citizens,” the statement added. The PDP, while asking Buhari to convene an emergency Council of State meeting for a review of the country’s security situation, called on the National Assembly to pass a vote of no-confidence in Pantami and insist on his immediate removal a minister. “Given the urgency of the security situation in the country, it has become imperative that President Buhari convenes an emergency Council of State meeting for a review of the prevailing dangerous security atmosphere in our country. The PDP also calls on the National Assembly to pass a vote of no confidence in Isa Pantami and insist on his immediate removal as a minister. “The National Assembly should also immediately summon the Security Chiefs for a thorough investigation on the circumstances resulting in the failure of our security system. “The PDP urges Nigerians to remain at alert and keep hope alive as the nightmare of the APC administration will be over by May 2023,” the statement concluded.

  The United States Embassy has warned its citizens in Nigeria against travelling on the airport road in Abuja. The warning came after suspected terrorists attacked Kuje prison and freed inmates on Tuesday. Also, United Kingdom citizens were warned not to be cautious of travelling to 19 states in Nigeria. Among the states are Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. They were advised to only embark on essential travel to Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa , Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State, Abia and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, and Taraba. In a statement on Wednesday, titled, ‘Abuja FCT prison break near the airport on July 5, 2022’, the US Embassy noted that crime has become endemic throughout Nigeria. The statement read, “On the night of July 5, 2022, an attack on Kuje Prison freed a large portion of the estimated 1,000 prisoners. The prison lies approximately 27 miles southwest of the Central Business District. “An increase in crime is expected in and around Abuja. It is recommended that U.S. citizens should maintain a high state of personal security awareness for the next two weeks and avoid unnecessary travel on the airport road. “Crime is endemic throughout Nigeria and tends to spike after dark. Avoiding locations and situations that increase the likelihood of being victimized is the best defence. Avoid displays of valuables and limit nighttime activity. “Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack –including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is focused on unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as: “High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.), hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists, places of worship, schools, parks, shopping malls and markets and public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights). “Actions to take: Be aware of your surroundings, Keep a low profile, carry proper identification, monitor local media for updates, review your personal security plans, always drive with your windows rolled up and the doors locked, and avoid large gatherings and protests, review alternative travel routes in case of unexpected protests or unrest, exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests, always keep the doors to your residence locked, even when at home.”