The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) says 118 inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger state on Wednesday, during a downpour.

In a statement on Thursday, Adamu Duza, spokesperson for the federal capital territory (FCT) command of the NCoS, said the rainfall ravaged parts of the prison.

He added that the command, in collaboration with security agencies, has apprehended 10 of the fleeing inmates, while raising concerns over the weak walls of the facility which he said were built during the colonial era.

“A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, 24 April 2024 has wreaked havoc on the medium security custodial centre, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying part of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of a total of 118 inmates of the facility,” the statement reads.

“The service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies, has so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot pursuit to recapture the rest.

“The service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era and that they are old and weak.

“The service is making frantic efforts to ensure that all aging facilities give way to modern ones.”

He said Francis John, controller of corrections, FCT command, has called on the public to carry on with their normal activities, adding that the service is working to address the situation.

Muyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has ordered the arrest of officers seen in a viral video bashing a moving car.

Adejobi condemned the incident and called for the identification and summon of the officers involved.

On Wednesday, an X user quoted a video with the words: “Can we agree finally say na animals una carry guns and uniforms give?… The Nigerian Police is the most UNPROFESSIONAL in the entire solar system.”

Reacting to the video, Adejobi wrote: “This is condemned totally. How can human beings be behaving in this unholy manner. #BenHundeyin, #LagosPoliceNG, #PoliceNG_CRU take necessary action. Fish out and invite the men immediately. Thanks.”

The Ogun state chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has suspended its indefinite strike.

The union had called for a strike on April 8 over the non-payment of 40 percent peculiar allowance by the state government.

Adewale Adenekan, publicity secretary of the union in Ogun, said executive members held a meeting with the secretary to the state government on Monday.

“After the meeting with the representatives of the state government, the authenticity of the union’s demand was established and the state government realised its mistakes in the failure to involve the JUSUN executive in the negotiation process which led to the approval and implementation of the Peculiar Allowance”, the statement reads.

“The state government said this was because JUSUN is not a member of JNC.

“However, the bone of contention is now the timing of the implementation of the union’s demand, putting into consideration the imminent announcement by the Federal Government of the new minimum wage which is expected on May 1.

“This will be billed for implementation between May and June 2024 for both Federal and State workers.

“After much discussion on the matter, it was agreed that JUSUN’s demands should be treated together with the full implementation of CONJUSS alongside the minimum/living wage negotiation and implementation.”

The union added that it reviewed the proceedings of the meeting and decided to suspend the strike.

“This is a very difficult moment for both the leadership and members of the union, but we believe this is a fair agreement that will benefit the union and its members in the long term,” the statement adds.

“In view of the above, the National Officers and JUSUN leadership of Ogun state, having reviewed the proceedings of the meeting, decided to suspend the indefinite strike action.

“The union thereby directed all its members to resume work by Wednesday. The union will continue to engage the state government towards the actualisation of its demands.

“We look forward to continue to provide our esteemed members with excellent and quality leadership.”