The Federal Government has ordered an immediate investigation into the alleged involvement of inmates of the Okere Custodial Centre in Warri, Delta State, in a recent robbery in Benin-City, Edo State.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, directed the probe, condemning the alleged criminal act, emphasising that “any form of indiscipline and misconduct will be met with severe consequences”.
According to reports, a four-man gang of inmates of the Custodial Centre were involved in a robbery operation, which occurred on January 3, 2025.
The inmates allegedly stole valuable items and transferred N4 million to an online bank account.
Investigators traced the transaction to the Udu area of Delta State, where they arrested the account holder, a woman, who claimed she was unaware of the crime.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Alhaji Babatunde Alao, said that “the investigations will be comprehensive and immediate, aiming to uncover the truth behind the allegations.
“The Federal Government has vowed to take decisive action against any officials found to be involved in or negligent in their duties,” he stressed.
The ugly incident took place as the Nigerian government jad continued to grapple with issues of corruption and insecurity within its correctional facilities.
The Okere Custodial Centre has been in the negative news recently, with the Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Diai, ordering the release of four awaiting trial inmates in an effort to decongest the prison.
Recall that a major security breach at the Kuje Maximum Custodial Venter in Abuja, during the regime of Muhammadu Buhari, left the Custodial Venter seriously damaged, arms carted away and all the inmates who were either being investigated or had been charged to court for terrorism-related matter at the Custodial facility but detained at the facility released.
There have been other mind-boggling incidences where inmates were either engaged in marriage ceremonies, got pregnant while in detention, enjoyed VIP treatment contrary to the rules or even released illegally from the Nation’s Custodial Centers.
