The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Cross River State Command, has raised concerns over congestion and other challenges facing custodial centres across the state, appealing to the state government for urgent intervention.

CSC Effanga Etim, psc, Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service, Cross River State Command, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday.

According to the statement, the Controller of Corrections, Cross River State Command, CC Aniekan Archibong Nya, psc, pcc, had concluded the Third Quarter Routine Inspection of the six custodial centres and facilities under the Command.

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The inspection covered the Calabar Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ikom Custodial Centre, Obubra Custodial Centre, Ogoja Custodial Centre, Obudu Custodial Centre and the NCoS Correctional Farm Centre, Adim.

The statement further disclosed that the routine exercise was aimed at assessing the general condition of the custodial facilities, ensuring compliance with established correctional standards, reviewing the welfare of staff and inmates, and identifying areas requiring urgent attention and intervention.

During the inspection, the Controller toured the custodial facilities, cells, sanitation and living areas, while also assessing correctional and vocational activities being undertaken by inmates.

He interacted with staff and inmates to receive first-hand reports and complaints concerning welfare and operational challenges.

The Controller emphasised the importance of maintaining a safe, secure, humane and rehabilitative custodial environment in line with the mandate of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

He assured staff and inmates that all concerns raised would be properly documented and forwarded to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

Nya also urged staff to remain committed, disciplined and professional in the discharge of their duties, while encouraging inmates to take advantage of available educational, vocational, agricultural and rehabilitation programmes.

He reiterated that the welfare, security, reformation, rehabilitation and successful reintegration of inmates remain top priorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The Command appealed to the Cross River State Government to intervene in the myriad of challenges facing the Service in the state.

These include the provision of adequate bedding, reliable water supply, operational vehicles for court duties and measures to address congestion in the facilities.

The Command reaffirmed that the Service remains committed to working to ensure the safety and protection of Cross River State through effective custodial management, reformation and rehabilitation of persons in custody.

It also appreciated the continued support and cooperation of the Cross River State Government, relevant stakeholders, development partners and members of the public in addressing identified challenges and improving custodial infrastructure and welfare across the state.

The Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of Calabar Medium Security Custodial Centre, DCC Vitalis Ogechukwu, assured that the Calabar Custodial Centre remains committed to strengthening correctional administration and ensuring that persons in custody are treated with dignity while upholding public safety and national security.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has mourned the death of former Governor of the old Gongola State and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur.

Tukur, the Tafidan Adamawa and prominent businessman, died on Saturday, at the age of 90, three days before his 91st birthday.

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In a condolence message on Sunday, Shettima described his death as a monumental loss to Nigeria and Africa.

“I am deeply grieved by the passing of our father, mentor and one of Nigeria’s greatest institution-builders, Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, CON, the Tafidan Adamawa.”

Shettima praised Tukur’s contributions to Nigeria’s maritime sector, recalling his leadership of the Nigerian Ports Authority from 1975 to 1982.

“He did not just clear the congestion; he built for the future.”

The Vice President said Tukur helped deliver the Tin Can Island Port Complex and modernised several major ports, including Apapa, Warri, Calabar, Sapele and Onne.

He also highlighted Tukur’s political career as Gongola State governor, Minister for Industries and PDP National Chairman between 2012 and 2014.

Shettima further described Tukur as “Africa’s pride” for his role in the African Business Roundtable and NEPAD Business Group, saying his advocacy for intra-African trade helped inspire ideas that have blossomed into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“He was a true global citizen — an Adamawa son who sat on the Ghana Investors Advisory Council, advised the President of Benin Republic, and was honoured by Côte d’Ivoire and Togo for his continental service.”

Shettima extended his condolences to Tukur’s family, the Adamawa State Government and the people of the state, praying that Allah grants the deceased Aljannatul Firdaus and gives his family the strength to bear the loss.

A fresh report of an attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz has intensified fears over global oil supplies, as escalating attacks across the Middle East threaten two of the region’s most important energy and shipping corridors.

The British navy-affiliated United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said early Sunday, that it had received a report of a projectile striking a vessel as it travelled through the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest incident came just a day after Saudi Arabia temporarily shut down its vital East-West oil pipeline following a drone attack, adding another layer of uncertainty to global energy markets.

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The developments have raised concerns that continued attacks could further restrict oil shipments and push energy prices even higher after Brent crude surged back above $100 a barrel during the past week.

Saudi Arabia Shuts Vital Oil Pipeline

Biztellers report on Saturday that Saudi Arabia announced the temporary closure of its 1,200-kilometre (745-mile) East-West pipeline as a precaution after a drone attack.

Both Riyadh and Baghdad said the drones originated in Iraq, where Iranian-backed militias operate.

The pipeline has become a critical alternative route for Saudi oil exports because the Strait of Hormuz has been largely shut by the ongoing war.

It has been carrying between 4 million and 5 million barrels of oil per day, equivalent to around 4% to 5% of global oil supply.

The pipeline’s role has helped Saudi Arabia avoid some of the disruption that has hit other Gulf oil and gas exporters.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the pipeline attack.

Satellite images showed black smoke rising from an area of the pipeline south of Medina. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said the attack caused some injuries and damage that was being assessed, but it did not provide details about the impact on oil exports.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Iran was probably responsible for the attack.

Houthi Attacks Add to Energy Supply Fears
The threat to energy infrastructure is also spreading across the Red Sea.

On Saturday, Saudi Civil Defence said a projectile fired by the Houthis injured two people in the Jazan region and damaged several buildings, including a mosque.

The developments came as the Houthis expanded their offensive along the Red Sea, creating an additional challenge for Washington and increasing concerns about the security of the region’s major energy and shipping routes.

Four Yemeni government sources told Reuters that the Houthis seized the strategic island of Perim on Friday, September 11, in the middle of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — the “Gate of Tears” at the southern entrance to the Red Sea.

The Houthis have been attacking Saudi ships in the area since declaring a blockade in July and have also targeted other Saudi oil facilities.

Saudi Crown Prince Seeks U.S. Military Help
The widening attacks have also created a difficult decision for Washington over whether to directly support Saudi Arabia against the Houthis and risk expanding the war.

Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, called Trump on Thursday, September 10, and asked for U.S. military assistance in fighting the Houthis, according to three sources who spoke to Reuters.

The sources said the crown prince was told that Washington would not intervene directly for now but would provide intelligence support.

Trump confirmed on Saturday that he had spoken with the crown prince.

He also said the Houthis had contacted his administration and asked Washington not to become directly involved in the conflict.

Meanwhile, oil prices have climbed sharply during the past week, while the retail price of diesel in the United States surged above a record $6 per gallon.

Iran Plays Down Prospects of Oman Talks

The latest attacks came shortly before planned talks involving Iran and Gulf Arab states in Oman.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced on Friday, September 11, that Iran would attend a meeting with Gulf Arab states in Oman on Monday, September 14, where the future of the Strait of Hormuz would be discussed.

However, a senior Iranian official speaking to Reuters on Saturday played down expectations of a breakthrough.

The official said the meeting, which was initiated by Oman, would discuss issues including the Strait of Hormuz but was not expected to produce a signed agreement.

Iranian parliament national security committee chief Ebrahim Azizi also warned that Tehran would not consider negotiations useful unless Washington accepted Iran’s conditions.

“As long as the American side does not accept all of Iran’s conditions, dialogue and negotiation are of no use,” Azizi said in a post on X on Saturday.

A source cited by Iran’s Tasnim news agency said an agreement concerning routes through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman would be presented at Monday’s meeting.

However, the source said the strait would not reopen unless seven conditions conveyed by Iran to the United States were met, without elaborating on the conditions.

Iran wants its control of the Strait of Hormuz to be recognised, which would allow it to collect fees from ships using the waterway.

Washington rejects that demand.

Oman, which controls the opposite bank of the strait, says it is negotiating with the agreement of other regional states.

Before the war began, ships had free and open passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Global Oil Market Faces Fresh Pressure

The latest vessel attack report, the death and injuries reported aboard an Iranian commercial vessel, Saudi Arabia’s pipeline shutdown and the expanding Houthi offensive have combined to raise concerns about further disruption to the global energy market.

The 1,200-kilometre East-West pipeline had provided an important alternative route for Saudi oil exports while the Strait of Hormuz was largely shut by the war.

With that pipeline now temporarily closed and shipping through the Strait facing renewed security threats, further disruption could place additional pressure on already-tight oil supplies.

For global consumers and oil-importing economies, the developments create the possibility of higher crude prices, increased fuel costs and broader economic pressure if the disruption continues.