*Orders transfer of condemned inmate, probes officers,
*Warns of tougher sanctions as social media scandal exposes prison security lapses
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has removed the Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and redeployed two other senior officers following a security breach that enabled a death-row inmate to conduct a viral TikTok livestream from inside the prison, triggering widespread public outrage and renewed concerns over security in Nigeria’s correctional facilities.
The unprecedented incident, which rapidly spread across social media, has raised troubling questions about the proliferation of contraband mobile phones in custodial centres and the integrity of prison security systems, particularly within facilities housing condemned prisoners and other high-risk inmates.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, described the incident as a grave violation of custodial regulations and ordered sweeping administrative and investigative measures to determine how the condemned inmate gained access to a prohibited mobile phone.
According to the statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections Jane Osuji, preliminary investigations confirmed that the inmate unlawfully possessed the phone, which was used to access social media while in lawful custody.
The Service said the device has since been recovered during a search operation and secured as evidence, while the inmate has been transferred to another correctional facility under enhanced security pending the conclusion of investigations.
The NCoS disclosed that initial findings also uncovered security gaps that may have facilitated the breach, prompting immediate disciplinary action against senior officials at the facility.
“The Controller-General has ordered the immediate removal of the Officer-in-Charge of the Custodial Centre, along with two other principal officers, pending the conclusion of investigations,” the statement said.
The Service stressed that the removals were administrative measures designed to guarantee a transparent and impartial investigation and should not be interpreted as a final determination of culpability.
Investigators are now probing whether correctional officers, inmates or external collaborators aided the introduction of the prohibited device into the prison.
The NCoS warned that anyone found to have facilitated, condoned or failed in their responsibilities regarding the incident would face disciplinary and administrative sanctions in accordance with existing regulations.