The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has officially dismissed one of its personnel, identified as ASC 1 Efe Onakpoya, for breaching professional conduct. The officer was reportedly found guilty of taking unauthorized photographs of an inmate inside the premises of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) located in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, and uploading them to the internet without clearance from authorities.
In a statement released by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, the NCoS clarified that the dismissal was purely based on internal disciplinary procedures and was not connected to any rumors making rounds on social media. Specifically, the Service debunked widely circulated reports alleging that the dismissed officer was penalized for exposing an inmate supposedly taken out of custody for illicit conjugal activities while those allegedly involved were left unpunished.
Umar condemned the allegations as misleading and damaging to the credibility and reputation of the Correctional Service. He further described such narratives as completely fabricated and harmful to public trust.
“The officer in question, ASC 1 Efe Onakpoya, with service number 57790, was dismissed following a rigorous disciplinary investigation,” the statement read in part. “He was found culpable of serious professional misconduct, having taken unauthorized snapshots of an inmate, identified as Ibuchi Okoro Eze, within the custodial facility’s barracks and subsequently publishing them on the internet.”
The Service also addressed and dismissed the counter-allegations made by Onakpoya himself. According to the former officer, a particular inmate was allegedly allowed to leave the facility under the supervision of staff to meet a romantic partner. However, the NCoS has strongly refuted this claim, labeling it as malicious, unfounded, and an attempt to divert attention from the real issue — the officer’s breach of professional code.
The Service’s spokesperson reiterated that the Nigeria Correctional Service has no tolerance for indiscipline or any form of misconduct that threatens the integrity of its operations. “We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and accountability within all levels of our service. Any personnel found violating these standards will be duly sanctioned according to the law and our internal regulations,” he emphasized.
Umar also took time to discredit another narrative spreading online, which suggests that the custodial center was being misused for hotel-like purposes. He firmly stated, “The NCoS does not operate a hotel, nor do we condone activities that compromise the sanctity and security of our facilities. Such stories are not only misleading but are designed to tarnish the image of a system striving for reform and integrity.”
He concluded by encouraging the public to disregard sensationalist reports and to seek verified information through official NCoS communication channels. The incident serves as a stern reminder that the Service will continue to weed out erring officers in its commitment to reforming Nigeria’s correctional system.