Tag: Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS)

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) said yesterday that it foiled an attempt by a man to smuggle substances suspected to be psychoactive drugs into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Samson Duza, made this known in a statement.

Duza said a man identified as Njimogu Ikedi attempted to visit an inmate on Saturday while concealing items suspected to be cannabis sativa and other psychoactive substances in his clothes.

He said the contraband was uncovered during a search by the personnel on duty.

Duza said the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Mr Christopher Jen, ordered the suspect’s apprehension.

Read Also: Akpoti-Uduaghan: NLC, Afenifere fault Senate stand on Natasha’s resumption

According to him, Controller Jen also directed the handover of the suspect to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for investigation and prosecution.

He, however, warned visitors with ulterior motives to desist from such acts, assuring that the Service’s vigilant personnel would continue to uncover their machinations.

The controller also urged the public and well-meaning Nigerians to support the NCoS to reform and rehabilitate offenders to foster public safety.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that 16 inmates escaped from the Medium security custodial centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State after they attacked the personnel of the facility.

The Nation gathered that five of the personnel sustained various injuries during the attacks.

The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Umar Abubakar, confirmed the incident in a statement in Abuja, saying the attacks occurred in the early hours of yesterday.

Abubakar said: “Some inmates breached the security of the facility, and attacked personnel on duty to compromise the situation.”

He explained that “in the course of containing the situation, five personnel of the Custodial Centre sustained varying degrees of injury, with two serious and receiving urgent medical attention at a government health facility”.

Read Also: Amaechi: how Fayemi and I began opposition coalition

He however said seven of the fleeing inmates had been recaptured and were in custody.

“The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has visited the facility and has ordered a thorough investigation into the escape.

“He said no staff will be spared if found culpable. Furthermore, he has directed an immediate search to recapture the fleeing inmates in collaboration with sister security agencies.

“Members of the public are hereby urged to remain calm, vigilant, and to promptly report any suspicious movements or sightings of fleeing inmates to the nearest security formation,” Abubakar, a Deputy Controller of Corrections, said.

Abubakar said preliminary investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the escape, reassuring the public of the Service’s commitment to public safety and the security of custodial facilities nationwide.