Federal Government dismisses 23 prison officers, suspends 11 others

 Following recent incidences of jailbreaks across the country, the Federal Governemnt has dismissed 23 prison officers and suspended 11 others.
The announcement was contained in a statement released last night by the  Head of Media of the Nigerian Prison Service, Mr. Francis Enobore in Abuja. The decision, according to him was taken following the meeting of the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board, which took place on Thursday last week in Abuja.
According to him, “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.”He said the dismissal letters dated 12th August, 2016 were signed by the Secretary to the Board Alhaji A A Ibrahim.


The letter 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.