ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Nigerian Correctional Service on Tuesday destroyed 1,167 mobile phones and other prohibited items recovered from custodial centres nationwide, as part of efforts to curb illegal activities within correctional facilities.
Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, stated that the items were confiscated over the past eight months and included smartphones, SIM cards, chargers, and other unauthorised materials.
“Before you are prohibited items recovered from custodial centres across the country within the last eight months. These include mobile phones, SIM cards, and other unauthorised materials.
“Their presence within our facilities is unacceptable. They compromise security, disrupt discipline, and create channels through which criminal activities are sustained from within custody.
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“A total of 1,167 mobile phones comprising Android devices, iPhones, and button phones alongside various earpieces, chargers, and other unauthorised materials will be destroyed today.
“These recoveries underscore both the scale of the challenge and the seriousness of our response,” he said.
He added that N2.57 million in cash seized during the operations had been remitted to government coffers in line with financial regulations.
The Controller-General further disclosed that 147 personnel had been sanctioned for misconduct, including involvement in the smuggling of contraband into custodial centres.
He said, “Within the Service, we have matched policy with action. So far, 147 staff members have been sanctioned for various acts of misconduct, including complicity in contraband trafficking. This underscores a simple truth: accountability is no longer negotiable. The Service will not shield anyone who undermines its mandate.
To our officers and men, your responsibility is clear. Maintain the highest standards of discipline and vigilance. Any form of compromise will attract firm and decisive action in accordance with the law and Service regulations.”
According to him, several external collaborators linked to smuggling operations have been arrested and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for prosecution, with some already facing trial.
Nwakuche noted that the Service had established a Special Crack Team to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, and enforcement, leading to the recovery of the items.
He cautioned both personnel and members of the public against engaging in contraband smuggling, describing such actions as threats to national security and the administration of justice.
“To members of the public, families of inmates, and all who interact with our facilities, I offer this caution: do not attempt to breach our systems or influence our personnel. Do not conceal prohibited items in food, clothing, or personal effects. The consequences will be severe, and enforcement will be uncompromising,” he said.