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Kaduna train attackers invaded Kuje prison to free high-profile terrorists – Sources

Published

4 years ago

July 7, 2022

The Kuje prison in Abuja was attacked on Tuesday by the terrorists who bombed the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28 in order to set their members free, credible source said on Wednesday.

Daily Trust quoted one of the sources as saying the terrorists attacked the facility and freed their high-profile members because their plan to use the abducted passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna train in exchange for their members was not yielding any result as the federal government was adamant.

He said the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre was brought down using explosive devices that gave them easy access.

The source said in addition to the request for the release of their young children by the federal government in exchange for the Kaduna bound train captives, the terrorists, loyal to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), also demanded the release of some terrorists held in Kuje and some facilities.

“They discovered that their demands would not be met and therefore, they set out for full scale war,” he said.

He said they were also planning to attack the Special Tactical Squad (STS), formerly the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) headquarters in Abuja which they attacked in 2012.

‘Intelligence ignored’

Another source said vital intelligence provided by relevant agencies was ignored by those that matter, a development that gave the terrorists unfettered access to the Kuje facility around 10.30pm.

Apart from warders at the Kuje prison, there was a task force comprising the military, police, SSS and civil defence guarding the place because high profile criminals were kept there, he said.

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“Sadly there are moles everywhere and therefore, even though the security operatives were alerted, the terrorists had their way,” he said.

“And that is why they perpetrated the nefarious act with precision. Some of them distracted attention of the security operatives by detonating many explosives outside the facility after destroying the main entrance, which gave a different group task with the responsibility of bringing out their members unfettered access.

“Those that gained access went straight to the cells where the Boko Haram members were incarcerated and set them free…There was no serious resistance,” he said.

The invaders reportedly used dynamites and destroyed the heavily fortified facility, including the Central Terrorism Unit (CTU), freeing all the terrorists there.

“Those freed would definitely unsettle Nigeria’s security architecture; they would disrupt peace unless something is done.

“And as you can see, the VIP section was not compromised because those incarcerated there were not their targets,” he said.

Another source said, “The attack at night was deliberate because they know we don’t have the capacity to resist invasion at night.

“They shepherded their members overnight and disappeared,” he said.

‘2 police operatives nabbed’

Daily Trust gathered that two police officers have been arrested after their communication with some of the escapees was intercepted.

“Two of the terrorists that escaped called a police investigation officer (IPO) in one of our stations and spoke to him in a compromising manner…They are now being investigated to know their level of complicity,” he said.

Other attacks loom

It was learnt that the terrorists were planning a deliberate and massive attack on the military detention facility in Kainji as well as the prisons in Bida and Minna.

“What they want to achieve is to set free members of the terrorist organisation who are detained in those facilities.

“They are planning to do this on Sallah day and unless something is done, it will come to pass,” he said.

I shared intelligence with govt – Negotiator

Mallam Tukur Mamu, a Kaduna-based newspaper publisher who has played an intermediary role with the train attackers said they hinted about the Tuesday night jailbreak.

He made the claim Wednesday in a statement issued to journalists in Kaduna.

Mamu said he had shared intelligence reports with authorities concerned but they allegedly failed to act on the information.

The publisher frowned at the failure of the government to respond to the group’s threat.

“I can confirm without doubt that the Kuje Correctional Centre attack was executed and coordinated by the same group that attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound train because they gave indications of imminent attacks to that effect which I shared.

“For the records, they requested for the release of 51 of their members. But through the power of dialogue and engagement, I was able to single-handedly scaled that number to only 10 and communicated with audio backing the development to the relevant authorities.

“There was an unnecessary delay on giving them even a precise feedback by the government and now they have not only succeeded in carrying out another successful attack that indicts the nature of our intelligence and capacity to respond promptly but have also succeeded in releasing dozens of their members, which would have been averted if actions has been taken to give them only 10 and secure the release of the train victims,” Mamu said.

“In all this risky, painful and frustrating engagement, which government is yet to acknowledge and appreciate, I have more than 100 documented audios that I shared with the relevant authorities. For the purpose of this important press release and to authenticate my claims, I will also share four of the latest audios,” he said.

ISWAP claims attack, releases video

ISWAP Wednesday night claimed responsibility for the jailbreak.

The group had previously claimed responsibility for attacks on police and other facilities in nearby areas of Suleja and Kogi State.

In a statement posted on the Islamic State media channel, Amaq, the group stated: “Islamic State fighters invaded a government prison in Kuje, a suburb of Abuja, the Nigerian capital, where they destroyed the perimeter fence and successfully freed tens of prisoners, yesterday”.

The IS media platform later released a 33-second video with the sound of explosives and heavy gunshots. The attackers were jubilating and chanting Allahu Akbar.

Part of the video showed raging fire-consuming vehicles and parts of the building.

However, the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) said that only four inmates were killed, 16 injured, while 443 escaped from the facility.

The corrections also dispelled the media report (not by Daily Trust) that DCP Abba Kyari and other prominent inmates have escaped, saying they are presently in custody, hale and hearty.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the correction, Umar Abubakar, said a total of 879 inmates escaped from the facility during the attack.

“As at the time of this report, 443 have been recaptured, 551 inmates are currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to recapture all fleeing inmates.

“As at the time of the attack, we have 38 military personnel on ground in addition to the personnel of the Nigerian Police, Civil Defence, DSS, NSCDC and our Armed Squad. This is the minister’s efforts to rejig the security architecture of our facilities. The public is also informed that some of the attackers were killed while some escaped with gunshot wounds. We, therefore, appeal to hospitals and other medical institutions and practitioners to report anyone that comes to them for treatment for gunshot injuries to the nearest law enforcement agency,” the agency stated.

On his part, the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, has said that all suspected Boko Haram members detained in the facility have escaped.

Speaking during an assessment tour, he said the facility was attacked around 10:30pm on Tuesday.

“The prison is accommodating about 994 inmates and over 600 escaped. Many people have been recaptured and brought back to the prison. Maybe by the close of the day, more will have been captured and returned.

“I think everything is under control. The people who came to do this activity, from the records, we believe they belong to a particular group. Most likely, they are Boko Haram members because we have a sizeable number of Boko Haram suspects in detention, and presently we cannot locate any of them.

“I think they are about 64 in the prison and none of them now is available they have all escaped, “he said.

Also, during his visit, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, directed traditional rulers in Kuje to work with relevant security operatives to apprehend all the escapees from the Kuje minimum correctional facility.

Malam Bello, who was at the facility Wednesday for an on-the-spot assessment, called on the Gomo of Kuje, Haruna Tanko Jibrin, to summon all traditional chiefs in Kuje Area Council to work with security agencies to fish out the escaped inmates from the communities.

While calling on members of the communities to provide appropriate intelligence to the security agencies to enable them to do their work, the minister expressed confidence that, with maximum cooperation from them, all those who escaped would be traced, found and brought back since no one could go into any community and blend without being spotted by members of such community.

DAILY TRUST

Related Topics:Kaduna Kuje Prison train attackers

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Gov Yusuf Approves N20,000 Eid-ul-Adha Goodwill Package for Civil Servants

Published

8 minutes ago

May 26, 2026

Trends Admin

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf

Gov Yusuf Approves N20,000 Eid-el-Kabir Goodwill Package for Civil Servants

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a special Eid-ul-Adha goodwill package of Twenty Thousand Naira (N20,000) for civil servants across the state and all 44 local government areas as part of efforts to support workers ahead of the forthcoming Sallah celebration. The approval was contained in a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Tanko Muhammad, on Monday, May 25, 2026. The gesture comes shortly after the successful payment of May 2026 salaries to both state and local government workers, ensuring that civil servants receive their regular monthly compensation alongside the festive bonus.

According to the official statement, the intervention is targeted at civil servants on Grade Levels 01 to 14 serving in state ministries, departments, agencies, and local government councils across the 44 local government areas of Kano State. The package is designed to provide additional financial relief to workers who fall within these grade levels, which constitute a significant portion of the state’s public service workforce and are often the most vulnerable to economic pressures.

Governor Yusuf said the initiative was part of his administration’s commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of workers, whom he described as the backbone of the public service in Kano State. The Governor noted that the decision was informed by the current economic realities and the financial demands associated with festive periods, stressing that the support would help workers celebrate the Eid festivities with comfort and renewed hope alongside their families. “In recognition of the prevailing economic realities and the financial demands often associated with festive periods, the Governor considered it necessary to provide additional relief to enable workers celebrate Eid with joy, comfort, and renewed hope alongside their families and loved ones,” the statement read. The gesture further underscores the administration’s inclusive governance philosophy and its determination to ensure that no segment of the workforce is left behind in the government’s people-oriented policies and programmes. Governor Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue implementing people-oriented policies aimed at improving workers’ welfare, boosting productivity, and sustaining an efficient public service.

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The Eid bonus is the latest in a series of worker-friendly initiatives introduced by the Yusuf administration. During the May Day celebration in Kano in April 2026, the governor pledged renewed commitment to workers’ welfare, pension settlement, and civil service reforms. Speaking at the event, he noted that Kano State became one of the first states in Nigeria to implement a new minimum wage of N71,000, a move that reflected the administration’s response to prevailing economic pressures on workers and set a benchmark for other states to follow. The Governor has also implemented significant pension reforms that have brought relief to thousands of retired civil servants. These reforms include the clearance of outstanding pension obligations inherited from the previous administration and an increase in the minimum monthly pension from N5,000 to N20,000. He disclosed that the state has maintained consistent salary payments and described the pension increase as a significant intervention to improve the welfare of senior citizens who served the state diligently. “We have maintained prompt and full payment of salaries and taken bold steps to improve workers’ welfare,” the governor said during the May Day celebration. “We have demonstrated our commitment not only in words but through concrete action.” These statements have been backed by consistent performance, with labour unions in the state acknowledging the administration’s efforts.

Beyond financial interventions, Governor Yusuf has implemented institutional reforms within the civil service that are reshaping the public service landscape in Kano State. These reforms include the establishment of the Local Government Service Commission, which has strengthened career progression, standardized recruitment processes, and harmonised working conditions across the public sector at the local government level. The administration has also rolled out capacity-building programmes for civil servants, including training in information technology, artificial intelligence, financial management, anti-corruption practices, and leadership development. The governor noted that initiatives such as pre-retirement training and professional development workshops are designed to prepare workers for life after service while strengthening efficiency in governance. “Our goal is to build a competent, modern, and forward-looking civil service that meets the demands of today’s governance,” he said. This vision has seen the creation of new ministries, including those for Housing Development, Internal Security, Solid Minerals, and Power & Renewable Energy, as part of broader governance restructuring efforts aimed at making the state machinery more responsive to contemporary challenges.

Governor Yusuf also extended Eid-ul-Adha greetings to civil servants and residents of Kano State, praying for peace, unity, and prosperity in the state and the country at large. The Governor urged workers to continue to discharge their duties with dedication and commitment, assuring them that his administration would continue to prioritize their welfare and wellbeing. The gesture, according to the statement, reflects the administration’s inclusive governance philosophy and its determination to ensure that no segment of the workforce is left behind in the government’s programmes. As Kano State joins the rest of the Muslim world to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, the governor’s approval of the N20,000 goodwill package has been widely praised by civil servant associations and labour unions as a timely intervention that will ease the financial burden of the festive season.

Gov Yusuf Approves N20,000 Eid-ul-Adha Goodwill Package for Civil Servants

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FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

Published

16 hours ago

May 25, 2026

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Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration across Nigeria.

The declaration was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement issued on Monday through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani.

According to the statement, the public holiday declaration reflects the Federal Government’s recognition of the spiritual significance of Eid-ul-Adha, one of the most important festivals in Islam, observed by millions of Muslims in Nigeria and across the world.

The minister congratulated Muslim faithful both within Nigeria and in the diaspora, describing the festival as a solemn period of sacrifice, devotion, obedience to God and compassion for humanity.

He noted that Eid-el-Kabir, also known as Eid-ul-Adha, commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command, a symbolic act that remains central to Islamic teachings on faith and submission.

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Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to use the holiday period for prayers and reflection on the country’s unity and collective progress.

“The Federal Government urges all Nigerians to use this period for prayer and sober reflection, asking for divine guidance upon the country as it continues its pursuit of peace, security and prosperity for every citizen,” the statement said.

He also encouraged citizens to embrace the values of brotherhood, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and national unity, stressing the importance of religious harmony and mutual understanding among Nigerians.

The minister called on Muslims to reflect the true spirit of the celebration by extending kindness to the less privileged and promoting acts of charity, which remain key teachings of the festival.

The Federal Government further reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring national peace and stability while wishing Muslims across the country a peaceful, joyous and spiritually fulfilling celebration.

The announcement is expected to trigger increased travel movement across the country as many Nigerians prepare to celebrate with family and loved ones, with transport operators and commercial centres likely to experience heightened activity ahead of the festivities.

Security agencies are also expected to intensify surveillance across major cities, highways and public gathering points to ensure a peaceful celebration nationwide.

Eid-el-Kabir is one of the two major Islamic festivals celebrated annually and is traditionally marked by congregational prayers, animal sacrifice, charity and communal festivities.

FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

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Ex-Governor’s Aide Linked to Kidnap Syndicate in Katsina

Published

16 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Trends Admin

Ex-Governor’s Aide Linked to Kidnap Syndicate in Katsina

The Katsina State Government has confirmed that a former Senior Special Assistant on Community Development, Nura Aliyu Garwa, who is currently under police investigation over alleged involvement in a kidnapping syndicate, had earlier been suspended from office before seeking election into the Katsina State House of Assembly.

Garwa is among the suspects recently paraded by the Katsina State Police Command over the alleged abduction of an eight-year-old boy at Sardauna Estate in Katsina metropolis, a case that has sparked widespread concern across the state.

The government’s position was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Salisu Zango, who clarified that Garwa had already been removed from office over misconduct before his political ambition to contest for a legislative seat in Batsari Local Government Area.

According to the statement, Garwa was suspended for his alleged involvement in the diversion of empowerment materials meant for distribution to communities under the state’s Community Development Programme.

The commissioner explained that the suspension was part of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s commitment to accountability and transparency in public service.

“The suspected mastermind of the kidnapping syndicate, Nura Aliyu Garwa, had earlier been suspended as Senior Special Assistant on Community Development before his intention to contest for the position of member of the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Batsari Local Government,” the statement said.

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It added that his suspension followed allegations bordering on the diversion of items meant to empower vulnerable communities in Batsari.

Governor Radda described the allegations linking Garwa to criminal activity as disturbing, especially given his previous role in government and his political aspirations.

The governor condemned the activities of the suspected syndicate and commended the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for their swift action in dismantling the criminal network.

He also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence to help combat kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.

The development follows the recent parade of suspected kidnappers by the Katsina State Police Command, during which security operatives announced the arrest of members of a syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction of the eight-year-old victim in Katsina metropolis.

Police authorities identified Garwa as one of the principal suspects and alleged that investigations had uncovered his connection to the criminal operation.

The arrest has generated intense public reaction due to Garwa’s previous status as a government aide and his attempt to secure elective office.

Security agencies say investigations are ongoing to establish the full scope of the syndicate’s operations and determine whether additional arrests will be made.

The case comes amid intensified efforts by the Katsina State Government and federal security agencies to curb kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes that have continued to challenge security in parts of the state and the wider North-West region.