NCoS Boss Links Officers’ Negligence to ‘Recurring’ Jailbreaks
The Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, has blamed the recent wave of jailbreaks across the country on the complacency and negligence of correctional officers.
Nwakuche made the remarks at the weekend during the decoration of 30 newly promoted Assistant Controllers-General (ACGs) of Corrections at the Service headquarters in Abuja.
His comments came in the wake of last Tuesday’s jailbreak at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, where 16 inmates escaped after attacking personnel on duty. The violent incident left five officers injured, two of them critically.
NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, confirmed that the escape occurred after inmates breached the facility’s security architecture. While the CG promptly ordered an investigation during his visit to the centre, the outcome has yet to be made public.
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Expressing dissatisfaction with what he described as a “lackadaisical attitude” among staff, Nwakuche said officers in charge of custodial centres, as well as their supervisors at state and zonal levels, had failed in their responsibilities.
“It is obvious that our zonal coordinators, state controllers, and officers in charge of custodial centres have abdicated their duties. This is unacceptable. This will no longer be tolerated. Any further abdication of responsibilities will surely attract the big stick,” he warned.
He charged the newly decorated ACGs to take full control of their jurisdictions, stressing that leadership at their level demanded accountability, visibility, and responsibility.
“Your new ranks are not just titles; they are symbols of trust and responsibility. I expect you to justify the confidence reposed in you,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the new ACGs, Sylvanus Yakubu assured the CG of their commitment to supporting ongoing reforms and delivering effectively on their mandates.
By PRNigeria
