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 major security breach that enabled a death-row inmate to conduct a viral TikTok livestream from inside the prison.
The incident, which sparked widespread outrage on social media, has renewed concerns over security within Nigeria’s correctional facilities, particularly the proliferation of contraband mobile phones in custodial centres housing condemned prisoners and other high-risk inmates.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, described the breach as a serious violation of custodial regulations and ordered an immediate investigation to determine how the inmate gained access to the prohibited mobile device.
The statement, signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections Jane Osuji, said preliminary investigations confirmed that the condemned inmate unlawfully possessed the phone and used it to access the social media platform while in lawful custody.
According to the Service, the mobile phone 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 outcome of investigations.
The NCoS said initial findings revealed security lapses that may have facilitated the breach, prompting the immediate removal of the Officer-in-Charge of the custodial centre and the redeployment of two other principal officers.
“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.
It explained that the administrative actions were intended to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation and should not be construed as a determination of guilt.
Investigators are probing whether correctional personnel, inmates or external collaborators were involved in smuggling the prohibited device into the facility.
The Service warned that any officer or individual found to have facilitated, condoned or failed in their duties leading to the security breach would face appropriate disciplinary and administrative sanctions in line with existing regulations.
The incident has also prompted the Controller-General to order a nationwide review of security procedures across custodial centres to strengthen internal controls, prevent the smuggling of prohibited items and forestall similar breaches in the future.
The NCoS reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining discipline, professionalism and the integrity of Nigeria’s correctional system, assuring the public that all those found culpable would be held accountable.
