Correctional Service denies alleged N120m robbery of inmates at Kuje Custodial Centre
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed reports alleging that inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, Abuja, were robbed of valuables worth over N120 million during a routine search operation inside the facility.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed reports alleging that inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, Abuja, were robbed of valuables worth over N120 million during a routine search operation inside the facility.
In a statement issued on Friday, Jane Osuji, Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, described the allegation as false, misleading and inconsistent with established operational procedures guiding custodial centres across the country.
The rebuttal followed online media reports claiming that valuables belonging to one or more inmates allegedly disappeared during a security search conducted by correctional officials at the Kuje facility.
Reacting to the reports, the Service said the operation carried out at the custodial centre was a routine security exercise aimed at maintaining order, discipline and safety within the facility.
According to the Service, all prohibited items recovered during the operation were properly processed and documented in line with existing Standard Operating Procedures.
“The allegation is false, misleading, and inconsistent with the operational realities and established procedures governing custodial facilities in the country,” the statement said.
The NCoS explained that inmates are prohibited from keeping unauthorised personal belongings or large sums of money while in custody, stressing that all valuables declared by inmates upon admission are officially documented and kept safely until their discharge or lawful release.
The Service further stated that available records at the Kuje custodial centre did not show that the alleged valuables were declared by the inmate or inmates involved at the point of admission.
It added that no such items were discovered or recorded during the routine search operation, making the allegations unverifiable.
“Available records from the custodial centre do not indicate that the items mentioned in the reports were declared by the inmate(s) upon admission, neither were such items found or recorded during the search operation,” the statement noted.
The correctional authorities also stressed that the items allegedly mentioned in the reports fall under prohibited contraband within custodial facilities and are not permitted to be kept by inmates.
The Service warned that unauthorised possession or introduction of such items into correctional centres constitutes a violation of custodial regulations.
The NCoS also disclosed that no official complaint had been received from any inmate regarding theft or loss of valuables linked to the alleged incident.
“Furthermore, as at the time of this statement, no formal or informal complaint of theft or loss relating to the alleged items has been lodged by the said inmate, or any other inmate, or persons in the Centre,” the statement added.
The Service maintained that the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje remains calm, peaceful and secure.
It also urged media organisations and members of the public to avoid spreading unverified and sensational claims capable of undermining public confidence in security institutions.
The NCoS advised journalists to seek clarification through official channels before publishing reports relating to correctional operations.
The statement reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Correctional Service to upholding the rule of law, ensuring the safety and welfare of inmates, and sustaining reforms introduced under the leadership of the Controller General of Corrections to strengthen transparency, professionalism and accountability in custodial centres nationwide.
