The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has announced plans to unveil the pictures of inmates who escaped from the Suleja medium security custodial center in the coming weeks. This move comes after 119 inmates fled the facility following a torrential rainfall that damaged the prison walls in April 2024.
During a joint press briefing of security, defense, and response agencies at the Defense Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, NCoS spokesperson Mr. Abubakar Umar stated, “I want to assure you that we are working hard to release the pictures of the fleeing inmates. We are working with other security agencies to enable us to accomplish this task urgently.”
Umar highlighted the collaborative efforts with relevant government agencies and the Service’s IT unit to cross-check facts meticulously before releasing the information.
“This is a very sensitive matter, and when we are dealing with issues of this nature, we must ensure that we cross-check our facts very well before putting it out in the public space. This is the major cause for the delay,” he explained.
The Explainer learned that, so far, the NCoS has recaptured 23 of the escaped inmates. Umar also revealed that over 300 inmates are currently pursuing various classes of degrees, with six others concluding their Ph.D. programs, demonstrating the Service’s commitment to inmate reformation.
Meanwhile, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, clarified the police’s stance on the application of the Cyber Crime Act 2024, stating that it is not aimed at “witch-hunting, harassing, or oppressing journalists.”
Adejobi stated, “We are not under any obligation to even send an invitation to a suspect. It is just a mark of respect. There is no law that says that the police must invite a suspect before carrying out an investigation.”
He advised journalists to honor police invitations, emphasizing that it is a sign of respect.
“Let me put it on record that if any petition is written against you as a journalist, I think the best thing you should do as a trained journalist is to honor the invitation and then get across to us in the public relations department,” he added.
The police spokesperson also cautioned bloggers against contravening the law in their pursuit of breaking news first, urging them to cross-check facts before publishing.
“Most of these upcoming bloggers often contravene the law because they want to break the news first. You must cross-check your facts before going public. When an invitation is extended to you by the police, honor it, we are all human beings,” Adejobi advised.
The Nigerian Correctional Service currently has over 80,000 inmates under its watch across 256 correctional centers nationwide.
