Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has responded to a circulating viral TikTok video that alleged unethical or inappropriate conduct involving custodial centre staff and inmates, dismissing the claims as false, misleading and unsubstantiated while reaffirming its commitment to professional standards and inmate welfare.
In an official statement, the NCoS Public Relations Office reiterated that reports emanating from the viral clip do not reflect the realities of operations in Nigerian custodial centres and called on the public and media practitioners to verify information before sharing or amplifying it. The Service emphasised that it operates under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, which mandates strict adherence to protocols governing the management, care and supervision of inmates and staff conduct.
While the contents of the specific TikTok clip were not formally detailed by the NCoS in its rebuttal, the Service stressed that any suggestion of systemic misconduct, exploitation or abuse involving correctional staff and inmates is categorically untrue, pointing to routine monitoring and supervision mechanisms in place across custodial facilities nationwide. It noted that such allegations, when circulated without confirmation, undermine the integrity of the Service and can erode public confidence in the criminal justice system.
The NCoS highlighted that corrections officers and custodial staff are trained to manage high‑security environments and inmate interactions within internationally recognised standards, and that any officer found guilty of misconduct is subject to disciplinary action under internal procedures. In recent months, the Federal Government, through the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), has already dismissed and disciplined correctional personnel for verified misconduct and breaches of professional conduct, underscoring a broader effort to enforce accountability and uphold ethical standards.
The Service also urged Nigerians to engage with official channels — including the NCoS complaint and response desks — to raise genuine concerns or report verified incidents rather than rely on unverified social media clips. According to official information, the NCoS provides designated contact points for complaints and oversight, reinforcing its openness to scrutiny and engagement with stakeholders.
This response follows a pattern of official clarifications by the NCoS in recent years, including rebuttals to allegations about inadequate feeding, inmate welfare or internal conditions that have surfaced online. On several occasions, the Service has publicly refuted claims of poor nutrition or care in custodial facilities, emphasising that inmates are provided with meals and welfare support in accordance with national guidelines and budgetary provisions.
While social media platforms like TikTok can rapidly disseminate eye‑catching clips, authorities across Nigeria’s correctional and security institutions have increasingly moved to address viral allegations with official statements and investigations, both to correct public narratives and to ensure that genuine misconduct — should it occur — is properly identified and dealt with through established legal and administrative channels.
The NCoS reaffirmed its mandate to balance security, rehabilitation and human dignity, acknowledging that custodial environments must be managed transparently and professionally to maintain public trust and ensure that inmates are held in conditions that respect their rights under Nigerian law.
If specific details of the viral video become verified through official investigation findings, the Service said it would make appropriate disclosures and take necessary corrective or legal action as required.
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