Sagamu jailbreak: Prisons sacks officer-in-charge

Irked by the escape of no fewer than 20 inmates of the Sagamu Prison in Ogun State, the Nigerian Prisons Service, has relieved the officer-in-charge of the facility, Mr. Omobitan, of his appointment.

Our correspondent gathered that Omobitan who was removed from office for alleged negligence of duty has been replaced with Mr. Ogunmodede who has taken charge of the prison.

It was learnt that some prison officials were being interrogated by the police over the jailbreak at the facility located on Prisons Street, Isale-Oko, Sagamu.

A top prison official who pleaded anonymity on Saturday said, “The officer-in-charge has been removed and has been replaced by another officer. He may face serious disciplinary action for negligence on his part.”

Some inmates at the prison had revolted and escaped from the facility last Wednesday.

During the jailbreak, some of the inmates as well as prison officials were injured in the melee.

The run-away prisoners were said to have dug a large hole on the wall at the back of the prison through which they escaped.

The Controller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service, Mr. Zakari Ohinoyi Ibrahim, had on Friday after inspecting the prison in Sagamu, announced that an investigation team had been put in place to ascertain the cause of the jailbreak.

Meanwhile, security operatives in Rivers State have intensified the search for the kidnappers of a senior staff of the Pipelines Products Marketing Office, Okrika Area Office, identified as Mrs. Bob-Manuel.

Bob-Manuel, who is the wife of a permanent secretary in the state, was kidnapped at Ozuoba, a few kilometres outside Port Harcourt.

SUNDAY PUNCH gathered that 48 hours after she was abducted, her captors had not established contact with the Bob-Manuel family for any ransom.

Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ben Ugwuegbulam, said the command would do its best to ensure that she regained her freedom.

He said, “Our anti-kidnap team has since swung into action.  Our men are deeply involved and hopefully, she will regain her freedom. We are leaving no stone unturned to make sure that she is freed.”