The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed three personnel, including a Controller of Corrections, for various forms of misconduct as part of a broader effort to maintain discipline and professionalism within the Service.
This decision was announced in a statement by the NCoS spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, on Thursday.
Umar explained that a recent review by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board examined cases of unprofessional conduct, such as gross negligence of duty, absence without leave, trafficking in illicit items, general inefficiency, and falsification of results.
The review, he said, led to the dismissal of the three personnel and the acquittal of twenty others who had been accused of various offences. Additionally, one officer who had been suspended was reinstated.
In related actions, the Board mandated the compulsory retirement of three personnel, demoted six, and issued warnings to thirteen others.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service, in a bid to maintain a high standard of discipline and professionalism, has reviewed various cases of unprofessional conduct, wrongdoing, improper behavior, and serious misconduct of erring personnel, resulting in the dismissal of three personnel, including a Controller of Corrections, for various misconducts such as gross negligence of duty, absence without leave, trafficking in illicit items, general inefficiency, and falsification of results,” said Umar.
Umar emphasized that these sanctions align with the zero-tolerance policy on staff misconduct championed by the Controller-General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa. This policy aims to eliminate unscrupulous elements and misfits from the Service, thereby enhancing professionalism and entrenching discipline, ethics, and excellence among its operatives.
The NCoS reassured the public of its commitment to securing all custodial and non-custodial facilities and adhering to international best practices in correctional management.
