The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has removed the Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, along with two other principal officers, following the unauthorised use of a mobile phone by a death row inmate who streamed live on TikTok from inside the custodial facility.
The officers were relieved of their duties pending the outcome of an investigation ordered by Sylvester Nwakuche, Controller-General of Corrections, into what the Service described as a serious breach of custodial security.
The development followed widespread public outrage after a condemned inmate was seen conducting a live broadcast on the social media platform TikTok while in custody, raising concerns over security lapses within Nigeria’s correctional facilities.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Jane Osuji, Service’s Public Relations Officer, the NCoS said the Controller-General directed the immediate removal of the affected officers to ensure a transparent, impartial and unhindered investigation into the incident.
According to the statement, the Service viewed the incident with grave concern, describing it as a clear violation of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, the Service Standing Orders and other operational regulations guiding custodial management.
The statement disclosed that preliminary investigations confirmed that the inmate was unlawfully in possession of a prohibited mobile phone, which he used to gain access to social media while under lawful custody.
The NCoS said a comprehensive search operation led to the recovery of the mobile phone, which has now been secured as an exhibit for further forensic and administrative investigations.
It added that the inmate has been transferred to another custodial facility where he is being held under enhanced security measures pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.
The Service noted that initial findings had also uncovered security gaps that may have facilitated the breach, prompting further scrutiny of personnel and operational procedures at the facility.
Osuji explained that the removal of the three senior officers should not be interpreted as a determination of guilt but rather as an administrative measure aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the investigative process and reinforcing institutional accountability.
She said the incident had further underscored the urgency of security reforms already initiated by the Controller-General since assuming office.
According to the statement, the reforms are designed to strengthen custodial security, eliminate vulnerabilities within correctional facilities and prevent the smuggling of prohibited items, including mobile phones, into custodial centres across the country.
“The preliminary findings from this incident have further reinforced the need for these reforms and the Controller-General has directed their full implementation and intensified compliance across all Commands and Custodial Centres,” the statement said.
While the Service said the inmate’s culpability had already been established through the preliminary findings, it stressed that investigations were continuing to determine whether any correctional personnel, inmates or external collaborators facilitated or aided the security breach.
It warned that anyone found to have participated in, enabled, condoned or failed in their official responsibilities in connection with the incident would face appropriate disciplinary and administrative sanctions in line with existing regulations.
“The Service wishes to assure Nigerians that anyone found to have facilitated, aided, condoned or failed in their responsibilities in connection with this incident will face appropriate disciplinary and administrative sanctions in accordance with extant regulations,” the statement added.
The NCoS also commended members of the public and the media for drawing national attention to the incident, describing their vigilance as valuable in promoting transparency and accountability within public institutions.
However, it urged Nigerians to refrain from speculation while investigations continue, assuring the public of its commitment to maintaining safe, secure and humane custody of all persons legally committed into its care through sustained reforms, professionalism and accountability.
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