By Adebayo Gbeja
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said that no inmate was robbed of valuables during a recent search operation at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje.
The clarification is contained in a statement by the service Public Relations Officer, CSC Jane Osuji, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja on Saturday.
Osuji dismissed reports alleging that an inmate was robbed of valuables worth more than N120 million as false, misleading, and inconsistent with the operational realities and established procedures governing custodial facilities in the country.
According to her, what took place at the custodial centre in Kuje, is a routine security search carried out within the facility and all recovered prohibited items were dully processed and documented.
“The exercise is conducted professionally and in line with extant standard operating procedures aimed at maintaining security, order, discipline, and the integrity of custodial operations.”
She noted that, the NCoS operated under clearly defined regulations which prohibited inmate from keeping personal unauthorised items and large sums of money while in custody.
The NCoS public relations officer also said that, all personal belongings and valuables declared by inmates were properly documented, recorded, and kept in safe custody until discharge or lawful release.
She noted that records from the custodial centre neither indicated that the items mentioned in the reports were declared by the inmate(s) upon admission, nor were such items found or recorded during the search operation.
“There is no official record supporting the allegation that the said prohibited valuables were in the custody of the inmate(s) within the facility.
“It is also important to state that the items allegedly mentioned are classified as prohibited contraband within custodial centres, and inmates are not permitted to retain them in personal possession.
“Any unauthorised introduction or possession of such items within a custodial facility constitutes a breach of custodial regulations”. Osuji said.
She added that no formal or informal complaint of theft relating to the alleged items had been lodged by any inmate, or persons in the centre, or through the available official complaint channels of the service.
According to her, the NCoS remains committed to upholding the rule of law, ensuring the safety and welfare of inmates and sustaining ongoing reforms and security measures introduced by the Controller General of Corrections.
“The Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje is calm, peaceful and secured.”
(NAN)