RismadarVoice Reporters
January 27, 2026
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed reports alleging a jailbreak at the Benin Custodial Centre in Edo State as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent JIN Osuji, described the reports, which began circulating on January 24, 2026, as completely unfounded.
The circulating reports claimed that three inmates, including two convicted fraudsters and one individual arrested in connection with the 2020 #EndSARS protests, escaped from the facility on Friday, January 16, 2026.
Osuji clarified that there had been no jailbreak, escape, or security breach at any custodial centre in Benin City or elsewhere in Edo State. He assured that all inmates are accounted for, custodial operations remain secure.
“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, under effective control,” he said.
The Service expressed concern that the media organisation that published the report did not seek verification from the Edo State Command or the NCoS headquarters before circulating the allegations, which it described as having serious public safety implications.
The statement further reassured residents of Benin City and Edo State that all custodial facilities are secure, with no threat to public safety; reaffirmed the NCoS’s commitment to its statutory mandate of safe custody, security, and rehabilitation of inmates.
While affirming its respect for the role of the media, the NCoS warned that it would pursue appropriate legal action against individuals or media organisations that publish false, unverified, or malicious reports capable of causing public panic, undermining national security, or damaging the Service’s image.
