Jail-breaks: FG dismisses 23 prisons officers, suspends 11
The Federal Government has dismissed 23 prisons officers for alleged
complicity in jail-breaks at Kuje Medium Security Prisons, Abuja and
Koton-Karfe Prisons, Kogi, respectively.
The Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board,
at its emergency meeting held on August 11, 2016, approved the dismissal
of three senior prisons officers serving in Kuje prison and three other
senior officers serving in Koton Karfe prison for their complicity in
the escape of prisoners from the respective prisons.
The dismissal letters dated August 12 were signed by the Secretary to
the Board Alhaji A A Ibrahim, according to a statement on Monday in
Abuja by the Nigerian Prisons Service Public Relations Officer,Francis
Enobore.
It said that the board approved the immediate dismissal of the prison
officers over allegation of misconduct and negligence of duty “in line
with the provision of the Public Service Rule 030402 (O) being an
action prejudicial to the security of the State.”
In addition, the Controller-General of Prisons, Ahmed Ja’afaru, also
approved the dismissal of seven junior prison officers serving in Kuje
prisons and 10 other junior staff serving in Koton Karfe prison, who
were also implicated in the escape saga.
The statement directed the officers to hand over all government properties in their possession to their immediate superior.
Meanwhile, the officer in charge of Nsukka Prison DCP Okonkwo
Lawrence and 10 others have been suspended following the escape of 15
inmates from the prison last week.
The suspension is to allow for detailed and uninterrupted
investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in order
to facilitate appropriate action by the prison authorities.
The CG, had in the wake of the incessant escape of prisoners from
some prisons in the country, convened an emergency meeting of Command
Officers and 241 officers in charge of prisons across the country
to reassess security measures for safe keeping of prisoners.
The prison service stated that a number of escapees have been
recaptured, adding that efforts are still being made to ensure that all
the fugitives were 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,” it said.
Ja’afaru appreciated the collaboration of security agencies,
vigilance groups and members of the public for their support and said
that all necessary measures were being put in place to guarantee
security of prisons inmates.
Source: Punchng.
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