By Omeiza Ajayi, ABUJA
The Nigerian Correctional Service NCoS has dismissed, as false and misleading, reports that an inmate at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, Abuja, was robbed of personal valuables worth over N120 million during a routine search operation at the facility.
Service Public Relations Officer, CSC Jane Osuji, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the allegation was entirely inconsistent with the operational realities and established procedures governing custodial facilities in Nigeria.
“The allegation is false, misleading and inconsistent with the operational realities and established procedures governing custodial facilities in the country,” Osuji stated.
According to the Service, what took place at the Kuje facility was a routine security search conducted professionally and in line with standard operating procedures aimed at maintaining security, order and discipline.
All recovered prohibited items were duly processed and documented, it said.
The Service noted that its regulations prohibit inmates from keeping unauthorised items or large sums of money while in custody, and that all personal belongings declared by inmates upon admission are properly documented and kept in safe custody until discharge or lawful release.
Crucially, the NCoS said available records from the custodial centre showed that the items mentioned in the media reports were never declared by the inmate upon admission, and were not found or recorded during the search.
“There is no official record supporting the allegation that the said prohibited valuables were in the custody of the inmate(s) within the facility,” Osuji said.
The Service added that the items allegedly taken are themselves classified as prohibited contraband within custodial centres, meaning no inmate is permitted to retain them in personal possession in the first place. Their unauthorised introduction or possession within any custodial facility, it stated, constitutes a breach of custodial regulations.
The NCoS also pointed out that as of the time of the report, no formal or informal complaint of theft or loss had been lodged by the affected inmate, any other inmate, or any person at the centre through official complaint channels.
“The Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, is calm, peaceful and secure,” Osuji declared.
The Service urged the public and media organisations to stop circulating sensational and unverified claims capable of undermining public confidence in institutions, and encouraged journalists to seek clarification through official channels in the interest of accuracy and responsible journalism.
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