The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed two officers and sanctioned 35 others over gross misconduct.
The affected officers were sanctioned for trafficking contrabands for inmates, unauthorised absence from duty, stealing, negligence of duty, criminal conspiracy, as well as aiding and abetting other criminal activities at the various correctional facilities in the country.
A statement released by the Service spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, on Wednesday, said the sanctions were part of efforts to ensure discipline of its personnel and entrench international correctional best practices.
The statement further explained that the action which was carried out after indepth investigation was based on the fact that the offences constitute threats to security of correctional facilities, and is capable of jeopardising public safety and national security.
The statement added that the NCoS Controller-general, Haliru Nababa, clarified that the Service will continue to reward diligence and exceptional performances, while it will not hesitate to punish erring personnel according to the provisions of extant laws.
He was quoted to have maintained that the correctional service will leave no stone unturned to ensure that ‘bad eggs’ were flushed out of the system, even as he assured that they will continue to perform their statutory mandates with integrity and ethical standards in line with international best practices.
“The CG appreciated the general public for their cooperation and urged them to accept offenders that have served terms and shown enough penitence in order to break the circle of re-offending,” he stated.
