The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed as false and misleading reports alleging a jailbreak at the Benin Custodial Centre in Edo State.
The Service Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Correction JIN Osuji, yesterday described the reports, which began circulating on January 24, as completely unfounded.
The report claimed that three inmates, including two convicted fraudsters, allegedly escaped from the custodial centre on January 16, 2026. It further identified the third alleged escapee as one of those arrested in connection with the 2020 #EndSARS protests, who had not received a final conviction. Osuji said there had been no jailbreak, escape or security breach in any custodial centre in Benin City or elsewhere in Edo State.
“Comprehensive checks and verifications conducted by the Edo State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service confirm that all inmates are fully accounted for, and custodial operations across the state remain secure, stable, and under effective control,” he said.
The Service expressed concern that the media organisation involved failed to seek verification from either the Edo State Command or the National Headquarters of the NCoS before publishing what it described as a grave allegation with serious public safety implications.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to assure the general public, especially residents of Benin City and Edo State, that all custodial facilities in the state are secure, there is no threat whatsoever to public safety arising from any custodial centre, and the Service remains fully committed to its statutory mandate of safe custody, security, and rehabilitation of inmates,” the statement said.
The NCoS warned that it would not hesitate to pursue appropriate legal remedies against individuals or media organisations that publish false, unverified or malicious reports capable of causing public panic, undermining national security or damaging the image of the Service.
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