The Yobe State government has confirmed the existence of a notorious s3xual abuse and exploitation syndicate at the Potiskum Correctional Centre.
Brigadier GeneralAbdulsalam Abubakar (retd), Adviser on Security Matters to the governor, disclosed this at a briefing shortly after the state’s Security Council meeting in Damaturu on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the National Correctional Service, National Public Relations Officer, Jane Osuji, on December 2, announced the suspension of some officers for allegedly being involved in “unprofessional conduct with inmates” at the Potiskum Custodial Centre.
Abubakar described the acts as a serious abuse of trust, saying a female inmate was allegedly impregnated by members of the syndicate.
“If a warder can impregnate an inmate, it shows abuse of trust, negligence of duty and lack of proper supervision. If there is supervision, there is no way a male prison warder can go into the female section,” he said.
The aide noted that the exact number of personnel involved was unknown as more arrests were ongoing.
“It is a network; not one person is involved. There are many other collaborators, including female warders,” he added.
Abubakar expressed optimism that anyone found guilty in the ongoing investigation by NCoS headquarters would be handed over to the police for prosecution.
He said the state government had already taken up the matter with the management of the NCoS and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, adding that it has the responsibility to protect the lives, property, and livelihood of citizens.
He partly attributed the abuse to personnel overstaying their posts and pledged that the state would continue to resist such unpatriotic acts, often aided and abetted by highly placed individuals.
On security arrangements during the yuletide, Yobe State Police Commissioner, Emmanuel Ado, said a massive deployment of policemen to places of worship and recreational centres had been planned.
He added that gaps identified in earlier security assessments had been addressed, urging Christian faithful to celebrate without fear.
“We have already deployed our plain-clothes personnel. We are going to dominate the state more than ever to ensure that enemies of peace do not succeed,” he said.
The commissioner commended the state government for its unwavering support of security organisations,
