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Riot Brews as Kuje Prison Warders Claim Boko Haram Stole N82 Million, $36,000 Cash Belonging To Inmates

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The money had been kept with at least five prison officials, including those manning the commissary, for several months, our sources said.

Inmates held at Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja are threatening a deadly riot after officials claimed a large chunk of money kept for the prisoners had been carted away by Boko Haram insurgents who breached the facility on Tuesday night, two sources with information have informed Peoples Gazette.

The money had been kept with at least five prison officials, including those manning the commissary, for several months, officials said.

“One prison guard told 13 inmates this afternoon that all the money they kept with him had been stolen,” an official said. “He bluntly told them that the N26 million is no longer in his possession.”

The prison, about 43 kilometres southwest of downtown Abuja, was breached at about 10:00 p.m. by suspected Boko Haram insurgents. While some detainees refused to take advantage of the jailbreak, all prisoners affiliated with Boko Haram escaped, according to defence minister Bashir Magashi.

At least 84 Boko Haram assets were believed held at Kuje prior to the attack, which lasted about three hours without any consequential intervention from security forces. About 600 inmates escaped in total, although officials said some had voluntarily returned. Actual roll-call statistics remained unclear as of Wednesday evening, nearly 24 hours after the attack.

President Muhammadu Buhari visited the facility for a few minutes on his way to the airport on a foreign trip to Senegal Wednesday afternoon, inspecting the damage while assuring correctional managers of support.

As the president departed the scene, prisoners began shouting that they’d lost money during the raid, while some threatened violence should officials fail to return their cash.

“Yes, that is the problem we’re confronting now,” an official said when asked for corroboration Wednesday evening. “Some people lost money in naira while some lost in dollars.”

The official said the money belong to wealthy individuals inside the prison.

“It’s those big men that are more enraged because they kept millions with the warders,” the official said. “About N82 million was declared missing and four people are looking for $36,000.”

“We don’t know what the prison management will do about the matter because the money was not kept with the warders officially,” our source added. The officials spoke under anonymity because they did not receive permission to comment on internal prison disputes.

A corrections spokesman did not return a request seeking comments about the missing cash and threats of violence thereof.

The facility holds politicians including former Taraba Governor Jolly Nyame and federal lawmaker Farouk Lawan. Disgraced police chief Abba Kyari is also held at the centre, as well as former pensions directorate grunt Abdulrasheed Maina.

In a recent letter protesting his protracted incarceration before a federal judge, Mr Kyari said he was funding a lot of activities at Kuje prisons, including monthly cable TV subscriptions.

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Fubara Urges Rivers People to Embrace Unity, Support Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

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As Christians around the world celebrate Easter, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has called on residents to reflect on the season’s message of peace, unity, and renewal.

“Easter is a sacred time that calls us to reconciliation,” the governor said in his Easter message. “It is a season when the peace of Christ fills our hearts — healing wounds, restoring broken relationships, and offering hope to the weary.”

He emphasized the power of resurrection as a symbol of new beginnings, noting that through faith, shattered dreams can be restored, and adversity overcome.

“This season reminds us that no challenge — whether hardship, sorrow, or even death — can separate us from the love of God. In Christ, we are more than conquerors.”

Governor Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to providing quality governance for the people of Rivers State and urged them to continue supporting the national leadership.

“I urge the great people of Rivers to keep standing behind the Renewed Hope Agenda of our President, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” he stated. “Together, let’s look forward to a brighter, more prosperous future.”

He concluded with a call for unity: “We must never lose sight of our collective strength. The transformation we seek is possible if we remain united in purpose, guided by faith, and committed to progress.”

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BREAKING: FUOYE Vice-Chancellor Suspended Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

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The Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has suspended Vice-Chancellor Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina following allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by a senior university official, Engr. Folasade Adebayo.

The suspension was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by the university’s Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Mufutau A. Ibrahim.

According to the statement, “At its 7th Emergency Meeting held virtually on Monday, April 14, 2025, the Governing Council reviewed a request from the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, to embark on his accumulated Annual and Research Leave. The Council approved a six-month leave—totaling 126 working days—effective from Monday, April 14, 2025, out of his total leave entitlement of 228 days.”

Furthermore, the Council appointed Prof. Olubunmi S. Shittu, the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) and the most senior among the three deputy vice-chancellors, as Acting Vice-Chancellor for the six-month duration.

This move follows pressure from the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction with how the Council initially addressed the complaint. Sources say the Minister was displeased that the Council allegedly dismissed the harassment claims and asked the complainant to apologise to Prof. Fasina.

“The Minister was furious that the complaint was being swept under the rug and that the victim was being compelled to apologise,” a source revealed. “He personally contacted the Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), to express his displeasure.”

Following the minister’s intervention, Senator Ndoma-Egba convened an emergency online meeting of the Council on Monday afternoon. During the session, members agreed to suspend Prof. Fasina. However, the Vice-Chancellor reportedly requested to proceed on his accumulated leave instead of facing a direct suspension.

In the interim, Prof. Samuel Olubunmi Shittu, a Professor of Soil Science and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), will serve as Acting Vice-Chancellor.

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Man Reportedly D!es Trying To Cart Away Agemo Statue In Ijebu

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A suspected thief, identified as Jeremiah Kosesochi Nwoke has reportedly d!ed while attempting to cart away the Agemo statue located at the Itoro Roundabout in Ijebu Ode.

The incident, which occurred overnight, has thrown residents into shock as the statue stands near the roundabout leading to the ultramodern palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland.

It was gathered that the deceased allegedly made several futile efforts under the cover of darkness to uproot and steal the symbolic statue.

However, the deceased allegedly uprooted the heavily-padded statuebut d!ed in the process of carting it away.

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