Security
Rehabilitation: UN, NCoS, NGO unveil chess game in Borno custodial centres
Speaking during the inauguration, Danilo Campisi, Deputy Country Representative of UNODC in Nigeria said that the groundbreaking initiative aims to challenge the stigma associated with imprisonment.
This, he said would be by highlighting the potential for growth and change within inmates.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration was done to celebrate the 2024 Nelson Mandela International Day.
Campisi said that the program aspired to reduce the rate of re-offending and contribute to safer communities by focusing on rehabilitation and skill development.
“Through this programme, inmates can engage in meaningful activities that stimulate their minds and promote a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.
“Nelson Mandela believed in the potential for change within every individual, and chess can fuel that change,”he said.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Campisi, said “Chess, with its intellectual rigor and strategic thinking, can equip inmates with critical life skills, improve their mental health, and provide a constructive outlet for their energy.
According to him, while inmates may have made wrong choices in life, it is crucial that we support and empower them with skills that aid their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
“UNODC is excited about this initiative and the partnership with the NCoS and Chess in Slums Africa.
“Through this programme, we hope to see the next chess champions emerge from the custodial centre.
“UNODC, the NCoS and Chess in Slums Africa invite you to support this initiative and follow the journey of the inmates as they learn, grow, and transform through the game of chess,”.
Campisi commended the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) for funding the initiative as well as the Federal Government of Germany (2021-2023) for its work on prison and penal reform in Nigeria.
Earlier, the NCoS Controller of Corrections, Borno State, Abdullahi Mbaya, emphasised that the support from UNODC with funding from the INL, would help the correctional service achieve a lot.
Mbaya said that it would also help in showcasing the remarkable talents and abilities of inmates in Borno custodial centre.
“This intervention will contribute to the Correctional Service fulfilling its mandate regarding rehabilitation of inmates.
“It will also allow the public to see the potential of the inmates, inspiring hope for their futures beyond the walls of the custodial centres,”he said.
Also, Tunde Onakoya, Founder of Chess in Slums Africa, shared his vision saying “we have seen firsthand how chess can transform lives in the most challenging environments.
“Bringing chess to custodial centres is a natural extension of our mission to use the game as a tool for social change.
“We are honoured to partner with UNODC to make this a reality.”he said.
Inmates expressed their excitement about the programme, stating that learning chess would provide them with a mental escape and a new way to approach problem-solving.
One of the inmate who participated in the pilot phase said “Chess teaches us to think before we act, to plan ahead. These are lessons that go beyond the game,”.
NAN reports that the initiative was inaugurated following the inauguration and handover of a newly built, equipped clinic and a furnished showroom constructed to display products made by inmates from the two custodial centres in Borno state.
UNODC also donated sports equipment and apparel to six custodial centres in northeast Nigeria, including Maiduguri Maximum and Medium Security Custodial Centers in Borno, aiming to promote sports in these facilities.(NAN
President Bola Tinubu has given marching orders to security agencies to fish out those behind the killing of some travellers in Edo State.
The victims, who were said to be travelling from Port Harcourt to the northern part of Nigeria, were allegedly killed by a mob in Uromi, Edo State, on Thursday.
While reacting to the incident, President Bola Tinubu described it as dastardly.
“The President, who expressed shock at the dastardly act on Thursday, directed Police and other security agencies to conduct swift and thorough investigations and punish the suspected culprits,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Friday.
The President noted that jungle justice has no place in Nigeria, and all Nigerians have the freedom to move freely in any part of the country.
Tinubu condoled with the families of the affected people and assured them “that criminals would not be allowed to shed the blood of innocent Nigerians in vain”.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has visited the community, condemning the killing of the travellers.
The governor described the incident as barbaric, according to a statement from his spokesman Fred Itua, and ordered a full-scale investigation into the killing.
“The Governor directed the State Police Command and other security agencies to conduct thorough and speedy investigations into the matter and bring those found culpable to book. He also charged the community to work with the security agencies to fish out the culprits,” Itua said in a statement on Friday
“Governor Okpebholo also commended community leaders, especially the leadership of Arewa community in the area, for deescalating tensions and handling the situation with restrain.”
The governor promised justice for the victims and maintained that there is “no excuse for the vigilante members to take the law into their hands without recourse to statutory law enforcement agencies”.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Sirajo Jaja, the Accountant General of Bauchi State for alleged N70 billion fraud.
He was arrested in Abuja on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 alongside Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprise, an unlicensed bureau de change (BDC) operator and Sunusi Ibrahim Sambo, a Point of Sale (PoS) operator.
They were arrested in connection with investigations of money laundering, diversion of public funds and missapropriation to the tune of N70 billion.
The Commission is investigating the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, regarding the matter.
The EFCC said investigations showed that cash withdrawal of N59billion had been made through various bank accounts opened and operated by the Accountant General on behalf of the state government.
The money was allegedly moved to Abubakar and Sambo, who in turn made cash payments to party agents and associates of the governor.
The BDC operator, Abubakar, earlier jumped bail and has now been rearrested.
The Akwa Ibom police Command has arrested one Victor Okon, 42, for the alleged gruesome murder of his wife, Victoria Okoh, 38, at their residence in Oron.
The police public relations officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement in Uyo, the state capital, on Monday.
Ms John said the command’s operatives swiftly responded to a distress call from concerned residents at 05:20 p.m. about the incident.
“On arrival at the scene, the officers discovered the mutilated body of the deceased lying outside the house she shared with her husband,” Mr John said.
She said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had allegedly attacked his wife with a machete over accusations of infidelity.
Ms John said further reports indicated that the suspect hid in the ceiling of the house in an attempt to evade arrest.
The PPRO said the officers went into the building and apprehended the man.
“The machete used in committing the crime was recovered by the police, and photographs of the scene were taken for investigation purposes,” she said.
Mr John said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the state’s General Hospital morgue for an autopsy.
She said the suspect would be charged to court soon.
Ms John quoted the commissioner of police, CP Baba Azare, to have condemned the act and assured the public that justice would take its full course.
Mr Azare warned against all forms of domestic violence and called on residents to seek lawful means of resolving disputes rather than resorting to violence.
He pledged the commitment of the command toward ensuring the safety of citizens.
Mr Azare also urged the members of the public to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.