From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, yesterday, ordered the Controller-General, Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, to probe the allegation against the personnel of the service who connive with deadly criminals to undermine the efforts of the military.
This is against the backdrop of allegations by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa, earlier accusing some personnel of the correctional service of conniving with inmates to finance the operations of terrorists.
“The issue of correctional facilities In the North East, when we were debriefing some of the arrested Boko Haram, they were able to tell us how, from the prison, they could plan operations out in the field. They pass funds across.
“They use some of the warders there. We are not saying all of them are corrupt. They use their accounts and the deal is that anyone whose account is used shares it 50/50. Those are the challenges, ” Musa said when he appeared before the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Following the accusation, the minister, yesterday,
directed the Controller General of Corrections to investigate the allegations.
In a statement, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, condemned the unpatriotic act by the personnel.
“The minister has called for a speedy investigation into the matter, noting that any officer culpable or complicit of sabotaging the Nigerian Correctional Facility, and by extension the security of the country, shall face the full wrath of the law.
“The minister also wishes to inform the public that actions are under way to reform the correctional service to match international standards where inmates would be truly rehabilitated in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“The era of talks but no action is over. The Renewed Hope administration will not entertain a breach from any officer. We have the interest of the state to protect, and it is above anyone’s interest.”he noted.
Recall that in December, last year, at the commemoration of the World Anti-corruption Day of the service, the CG had warned the personnel of the service against corruption, especially with the inmates.
“Corruption is an issue that affects all countries around the world and that makes it a common global enemy. Where it thrives, honesty and integrity are at their lowest. Corruption undermines the peace, growth, stability and the progress of any nation. Evidences abound on the devastating effects of corruption hence, it is the dominant factor driving fragile countries towards state failure.
“In Nigeria, corruption is probably the greatest obstacle preventing the country from achieving its enormous potential, as it affects all aspects of public life and continues to undermine social, economic and political development” Nababa, said. ENDS