The Nigerian Correctional Service has warned that officers found negligent in their duties will face sanctions, following a series of jailbreaks that have rocked custodial centres across the country.
The Controller-General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, attributed the jailbreaks to the lackadaisical attitude of some of the officers, warning that negligence would no longer be tolerated.
Data compiled from media reports, the NCoS website, and other sources showed that at least 6,700 inmates escaped from 13 correctional facilities between 2019 and 2025, with over 4,600 still at large.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that many of the escapees were awaiting trial for offences such as terrorism and armed robbery.
No fewer than 2,000 escapees have been recaptured, according to reports.
Speaking during the decoration of 30 newly promoted Assistant Controllers-General of Corrections in Abuja on Friday, Nwakuche condemned what he called the ālackadaisical attitudeā of some zonal coordinators, state controllers, and custodial centre officers, which he said had contributed to repeated security breaches.
āIt is obvious that our Zonal Coordinators, State Controllers, and Officers-in-Charge of Custodial Centres have abdicated their duties. This is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated. Any further abdication of responsibilities will surely attract the big stick,ā he said.
The CG reminded the newly promoted officers that their elevation was not merely ceremonial but a call to provide disciplined, proactive leadership at a time when public confidence in the correctional system is fragile.
Nwakuche reaffirmed the serviceās commitment to the vision outlined in the NCoS Act 2019, which shifts the emphasis from punitive incarceration to rehabilitation and reintegration.
He also praised President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for their continued support in reforming the service and improving conditions for personnel and inmates alike.
The NCoS boss stressed that the elevation of the officers was not merely a change of insignia but formal recognition of years of diligence, sacrifice, and unyielding commitment to duty.
