While the Federal Government continues to try to wrap its head over the root cause of the breaching of the sanctity of Imo Correctional Centre, Owerri, with conflicting positions by Imo Governor, that of Bauchi has been figured out: it was over a phone smuggled in for use of prisoners by a Correctional officer.
More than 1700 inmates of the Owerri facility and a police holding centre are thought to be on the run, raising fears that if they were freed to join an insurgent group, it spell an unfortunate situation for security forces.
In Owerri, Governor Hope Uzodinma, like security agencies, first fingered elements within Independent Poeples of Biafra (IPOB); but Uzodimma was to later change the narrative to say it was the handiwork of political rivals. He was to add that the plot was targeted at the Federal and state governments.
Many think he dragged in the federal government to have hit help him neutralise political opponents.
Meanwhile, according to a statement by the National Correctional Service, NCoS, the fight between operatives and inmates in Bauchi was over a phone.
Adam Abubakar Jibrin, the spokesman in Bauchi disclosed that an officer attached to the Bauchi State Command is being interrogated for allegedly smuggling a mobile phone into the custodial centre.
He adds, “The development resulted in skirmishes between the inmates who were to benefit from the illegal deal and other staff members who bursted the plan.
“However, two personnel and five inmates sustained injuries in the melee but have been treated and discharged from the facility medical unit.
“The restive inmates have also been put under control and the staff involved undergoing investigation as ordered by the State Controller, Isa Sabo Kashuri.
“While addressing the body of staff, the Controller once again reminded them of the far-reaching implications of smuggling prohibited items particularly mobile phones into custodial centres which, among other things, could lead to riot, jailbreak etc.
“He also noted that the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019 has made provisions for sanctioning anyone found culpable for the offence of trafficking.
“He therefore, admonished the personnel to shun such shameful act and concentrate on the task of character reformation for which they were employed.
“He however noted that the Service will not hesitate to show incorrigible elements the way out of the job if it becomes an option. He commended the officer-charge of the custodial centre and the staff members for the excellent searching that prevented the item from entering the yard.”
