Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, has urged an immediate inquiry into intelligence reports detailing misconduct by certain members of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The directive was communicated through a statement from his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Alao Babatunde, released on Thursday in Abuja.
The minister’s call for investigation comes in response to statements made by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, during his appearance before the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Gen. Musa revealed that some personnel from the correctional service collaborated with inmates to fund the activities of proscribed terrorist groups.
Tunji-Ojo, in his reaction, condemned the unpatriotic act, directing the Controller-General of the NCoS, Haliru Nababa, to investigate the disturbing allegation. The minister, therefore, called for a speedy investigation into the matter with the view of unraveling the truth. He added that any officer culpable or complicit of sabotaging the service and by extension the security of the country, would face the full wrath of the law.
Tunji-Ojo also assured the public that actions were underway to reform the service to match international standards where inmates would be truly rehabilitated.
This, he added, would be 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 breach from any officer. “We have the interest of the state to protect and it is above anyone’s interest,” he added.
