NEWS
How Boko Haram gave 15 mins Quranic lecture to Kuje inmates before freedom – FIJ
The scores of terrorists who raided the Kuje Medium Security Prison in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, had so much free time on their hands that they first delivered a 15-minute Quranic lecture to inmates before setting them free, an insider who witnessed the horror show from start to finish has told FIJ.
As widely reported by the media over the night, scores of terrorists raided the prison on Tuesday night, freeing hundreds of inmates after shooting and bombing their way into the prison yard.
Speaking with FIJ on Wednesday, the insider said it took “only 50 minutes” for the attackers to gain access into the facility, subduing the entire facility with “eight or a little more bombs”.
10:05PM, FIRST BOMB
“The first bomb sounded at exactly 10.05pm and as of 11pm security agents had taken cover while all the inmates were outside the cells in the compound,” he said.
“The terrorists moved everyone out of the facility to an open place where they gave Quranic lectures for about 15 minutes before they started sharing transportation fares to their members whom they came to rescue. It was very clear they came prepared.”
‘SQUAT DOWN, EVERYONE’
“The terrorists then barked orders at the inmates… that they should all squat down,” he continued.
“It looked, for a moment, like they were going to separate the Christians from the Muslims and pounce on them, but they didn’t. Instead, they separated their members from the rest and led their members away, while abandoning others to their fate.”
‘QURANIC LECTURE IN FULANI, HAUSA, EBIRA’
FIJ can confirm that the jailbreakers spoke in Ebira addition to Fulani and Hausa.
“Quite a few of them understand Ebira [spoken by a section of people in central Nigeria]; they preached in Ebira, Fulani and Hausa.
“And there were many of them. They surrounded the facility, as big and well-equipped as it is, and still had more than 20 of them inside the prison. That tells you there were so many of them!
‘THE SECURITY PERSONNEL DISAPPEARED’
The prison service confirmed one Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) official and four inmates dead, and three prison officials injured. However, these must either be among the few security officials who didn’t “disappear” immediately or among the few who chose to fight back.
“Sincerely, when we got outside, none of the security officers were around. Even those inside, nobody knows how they disappeared,” said the source.
“Those Boko Haram guys came with sophisticated weapons and they overpowered the entire security systems of the facility. I saw GPMG (General Purpose Machine Guns) and launchers, machine guns with enough bullets in chains. And all they were shouting was ‘Allahu Akbar.’”
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Boko Haram Suspects Clash with Warders, Christian Inmates at Kuje Prison
CHRISTIANS DISGUISED AS MUSLIMS TO ESCAPE
“There were Christians who escaped because they rather surprisingly tied clothes around their heads down to their jaws, just like Muslims, and were shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ like Muslims would.
“My hunch is that some Muslims must have taught them during the time when news had filtered in that Boko Haram terrorists were the ones trying to gain entry to the facility.”
800 OUT OF 1,0007 INMATES SET FREE
FIJ understands that out of 1,007 inmates who were in the facility as of Tuesday morning, over 800 were set free. However, quite a number of them have turned themselves in, and more are expected to do so before the end of the day.”
A lawyer who spoke to FIJ but asked not to be named said any inmate with a lawyer will likely return.
“I can assure you that any inmate who has a lawyer will definitely get the advice to voluntarily return to the prison because that is the safest thing to do,” he said.
“However, from the information I have directly from inmates and fellow lawyers, no single inmate was captured; it was a free ride for them all last night. The ones who are back there are those who return of their own volition.”
NEWS
Dangote Preaches Ambition, Africa First to Nigerian Creatives
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs and creative industry practitioners to think beyond conventional limits, build globally competitive enterprises and create enduring legacies, declaring that Africa must take responsibility for its own economic transformation rather than depend on foreign investors for prosperity.
Dangote gave the charge while hosting leading figures from Nigeria’s creative industry at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex in Lekki, Lagos, where he also disclosed that the Group was considering raising its US$100 billion Vision 2030 target in response to its expanding industrial investments and growth ambitions. The delegation, comprising Nollywood stars, content creators, comedians and other entertainment and lifestyle personalities, toured the industrial complex before engaging Dangote in a conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, ambition, and legacy.
Addressing the creatives, Dangote urged Nigerians to match their creativity and entrepreneurial drive with discipline, perseverance and the courage to pursue ambitious projects, stressing that lasting success should be measured not merely by personal wealth but by the businesses built, opportunities created and contributions made to society.
“It is not just about money; it is about legacy. We have often been taken for granted, and in many ways, we have contributed to that by waiting for foreigners to come and make our continent prosperous. That will never happen. We must take responsibility for building Africa’s prosperity ourselves,” he declared.
READ ALSO: Renaissance, Sterling Bank Back Indigenous Oil and Gas Contractors Financially
Speaking on the Group’s long-term ambitions, Dangote revealed that its US$100 billion Vision 2030 target was being reconsidered, with a more ambitious target expected to be unveiled in January.
“We realised that our Vision 2030 target was too modest. We are working towards unveiling a new vision in January, with a revised target that reflects our ambition to achieve far more than US$100 billion,” he said.
He explained that the Group’s continued industrial expansion was driven by a determination to build enduring institutions, strengthen Africa’s productive capacity and demonstrate that the continent could develop enterprises capable of competing globally. Drawing lessons from Singapore’s economic transformation, Dangote said nations could overcome difficult beginnings through deliberate investment, enterprise and a commitment to developing their own capabilities. He challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs to reject limiting assumptions about what could be achieved, noting that transformative accomplishments often required the courage to pursue ideas others considered impossible.
Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey and the development of the refinery, Dangote identified perseverance, disciplined execution and sound judgement as essential ingredients of business success. He cautioned, however, that ambition must be tempered by the ability to recognise when an investment was no longer commercially viable.
“Before embarking on any venture, you must carefully consider all the issues involved. We have made mistakes too, and I share these experiences so others can learn from them,” he said. “One important lesson is never to keep putting good money into a bad investment. Some situations are simply too difficult to turn around, no matter how much you invest.”
Turning to the creative industry, Dangote commended Nigerian entertainers for building a formidable international presence despite operating in a challenging business environment and receiving limited government support. He described Nollywood’s growing global influence as evidence of Nigeria’s creative potential, urging practitioners to build on their achievements through stronger business structures, innovation and collaboration. According to him, the industry’s next phase of growth should go beyond international recognition to building sustainable enterprises, creating employment and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global creative economy.
Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), who moderated the interactive session, praised Dangote’s accomplishments, describing his industrial investments as an enduring contribution to Nigeria’s development.
“Your legacy has already been built, and its continuation is assured. You deserve all the praise and recognition you have received for what you have accomplished,” RMD said.
Nollywood actor Abdullateef Adedimeji described the visit as an inspiration, saying the scale of the refinery had challenged him to raise his ambitions and pursue greater accomplishments in the creative industry.
“Coming here today is a source of motivation for us. As someone in the film industry, this experience inspires me to push beyond my limits, broaden my imagination and strive for greater achievements, including making a more meaningful impact in my community,” he said.
Adedimeji also called for greater collaboration among Nollywood practitioners, drawing lessons from the coordination and partnerships underpinning Dangote’s industrial operations.
“That is what we need in Nollywood. The more we collaborate, the stronger and more successful we become,” he said.
NEWS
Protest Against Oil Company’s Vessel in Rivers Takes 10 Lives
No fewer than 10 people are feared dead after a protest against a vessel belonging to an indigenous oil company turned tragic at Kula community in Rivers State, following an alleged collision involving a community boat and a Nigerian Army gunboat.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning when members of the community took to the water in a boat to protest against the oil company’s vessel.
A community leader, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, disclosed this in a telephone interview with journalists in Port Harcourt.
Sara-Igbe, a former spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), alleged that a gunboat belonging to the Nigerian Army hit the protesters’ boat, causing some of its occupants to drown.
READ ALSO: Renaissance, Sterling Bank Back Indigenous Oil and Gas Contractors Financially
He said efforts were ongoing to recover the remains of those who drowned during the incident.
The circumstances that led to the protest, the identities of the victims and the precise sequence of events surrounding the alleged collision were not immediately clear.
The Nigerian Army’s response to the allegation was also not immediately available as of the time of filing this report.
NEWS
FRSC Warns Drivers After Brake Failure Kills Two in Kano Crash
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has confirmed the death of two persons in a road crash involving a fully loaded tipper truck and a Mercedes-Benz car along the Kano-Zaria Road at Dangi Underpass.
The fatal crash occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and involved a Howo tipper truck with registration number RMG 332 XA, loaded with bitumen, and a Mercedes-Benz C180 with registration number ABJ 783 GB.
According to a statement signed by the FRSC Kano Sector Public Education Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, four male adults were involved in the crash, with two confirmed dead.
SEE ALSO: DPRP’s Free Fuel Delivery Expands to Kano, Imo, Nearly 10 More States
Preliminary reports indicated that the crash was caused by brake failure in the loaded tipper truck, resulting in the driver losing control of the vehicle.
The truck reportedly slid backwards and collided with the Mercedes-Benz behind it, leading to the fatal incident.
FRSC rescue personnel and other emergency responders evacuated the victims to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for medical attention.
Reacting to the incident, the Kano Sector Commander, Corps Commander Idris Mohammed Lawal, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.
Lawal also urged the affected families to find the strength to bear the loss.
The Sector Commander warned motorists, transport unions, construction companies and fleet operators against neglecting regular vehicle maintenance, particularly the inspection and servicing of critical components such as braking systems and tyres.
He emphasised the importance of defensive driving, urging motorists to maintain safe following distances, remain alert to changing road conditions and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on journeys.
Lawal stressed that regular vehicle maintenance, responsible driving and strict compliance with road safety regulations remain essential to preventing avoidable road crashes and saving lives.





