By Palma Ileye
Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, has sanctioned 147 personnel for misconduct linked to contraband smuggling, as part of efforts to strengthen security across custodial centres nationwide.
The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja during the destruction of 1,167 confiscated mobile phones and other prohibited items recovered from correctional facilities over the past eight months.
Nwakuche said the destroyed items included smartphones, iPhones, basic mobile phones, chargers, earpieces, and other unauthorized materials.
He added that a total of N2,569,000 in cash recovered from inmates during operations had been remitted to the appropriate government treasury in line with financial regulations.
He warned that the presence of contraband in Custodial centres undermines security, weakens discipline, and enables criminal activities to persist within correctional facilities.
“These recoveries highlight both the scale of the challenge and the seriousness of our response,” he said.
The Controller General noted that the smuggling of prohibited items is often aided by collaboration between insiders and external factors, including visitors and contractors.
“There are individuals outside our custodial centres who deliberately exploit these weaknesses by concealing items in food, clothing, and other means, while also attempting to compromise our personnel. This collusion is what we are determined to break completely,” he said.
Nwakuche stressed that anyone found engaging in such activities would face severe legal consequences, adding that several suspects had already been apprehended and handed over to relevant law enforcement agencies, including the police and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for prosecution.
He further revealed that the Service had established a Special Crack Team to enhance intelligence gathering, surveillance, and enforcement operations.
According to him, the team’s efforts, in collaboration with other security agencies, led to the recovery of the destroyed items.
“Accountability is no longer negotiable. The Service will not shield anyone who undermines its mandate,” he said.
Nwakuche also warned members of the public and families of inmates against attempting to smuggle prohibited items into custodial facilities.
“Do not conceal items in food, clothing, or personal effects. The consequences will be severe, and enforcement will be uncompromising,” he cautioned.
He reiterated that the ongoing crackdown was aimed at restoring order and reinforcing the core objectives of the correctional system, including reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates.
