FG Sacks 23 Prison Officers

At least 23 officers of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) have been asked to go, while 11 others have been suspended.

The affected officers were punished by the Federal Government following recent incidences of jailbreaks across the country.

It was stated that this decision was taken by the government after the meeting of the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board, which took place on Thursday last week in Abuja.

A statement issued by the Head of Media of the NPS, Mr Francis Enobore in Abuja said, “The Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB), at its emergency meeting held on Thursday 11th August, 2016, approved the dismissal of three senior prisons officers serving in Kuje Medium Security prison and three other senior officers serving in Koton Karfe prison for their complicity in the escape of prisoners from the respective prisons.”

Mr Enobore disclosed that the dismissal letters dated 12th August, 2016 were signed by the Secretary to the Board Alhaji A A Ibrahim.

“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,” the letter reads in part.

The statement further said, “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.”