FG sakes prison officers due to recent prison Breaks

In a statement released by spokesperson of the Nigeria Prisons Service, Francis Enobore, the federal government has sacked 23 prison officers and suspended 11 others after the recent ‎jailbreak at Koton Kafe prison in Kogi, Kuje prison in Abuja and Nsukka Prison in Enugu state.The statement reads in part... 

"Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB) considered the allegation of serious misconduct arising from your negligence of duty as leveled against you. 

The Board thereafter approved your immediate dismissal from the Nigerian Prisons Service.. in line with the provision of the Public Service Rule 030402 (O) being an action prejudicial to the security of the State. 

“Similarly the Controller-General of Prisons in his capacity has approved the dismissal of 7 junior staff serving in Kuje Medium Security prison and 10 other junior staff serving in Koton Karfe prison also implicated in the escape saga. The affected officers are to hand over all government properties in their possession to their immediate superior and proceed accordingly. “Meanwhile the officer in charge of Nsukka Prison DCP Okonkwo Lawrence and 10 others have been suspended over the recent prisoners’ escape from the prison. 

The suspension is to allow for detailed and uninterrupted investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in order to facilitate appropriate action by the authority. 

“It would be recalled that in the wake of incessant escape of prisoners from some prisons in the country the CGP, Ja’afaru Ahmed on the 2nd of August, 2016 convened an emergency meeting of Command Officers and 241 officers in charge prisons across the country to reassess security measures for safe keeping of prisoners. Although a number of escapees have been recaptured, efforts are still being made to ensure that all the fugitives are apprehended and returned to prison custody. 

“The Controller General wishes to assure all officers and men of the Nigerian Prisons Service of his readiness to support and encourage hard work and dedication to duty but frowns at acts of negligence capable of embarrassing the Service and the nation at large. While appreciating the collaboration of security agencies, vigilante groups and members of the public for their support, the Controller General further assures that all necessary measures are being put in place to guarantee maximum security of persons in Prison custody.”

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Jail Break! 15 inmate escape from Enugu prison

At least 15 inmates have escaped in a jailbreak that occurred at Nsukka Prison in Enugu state. Quoting a source at the prison, NAN said the inmates broke their cells and scaled over the perimeter fence last night.

“The inmates carefully opened their cells and scaled the perimeter fence of the prisons. Before prison officials on night duty knew what was happening, about 15 inmates had escaped,”  source said.

Lawrence Okonkwo, controller of prison, confirmed the jailbreak but declined to give the number of inmates that escaped.

“Yes there was a jailbreak last night in Nsukka prison but I am not in a position to say how many prisoners escaped. We are expecting the Enugu state prisons controller, Mr Isaiah Amariri, in Nsukka prison so that we brief him on what happened last night. He will be the one to tell the public the number of inmates that escaped, the re-arrested ones and efforts put in place to arrest those still on the run,” he said.

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