John gave the warning after inspecting all custodial centres in the FCT command.
In a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, Adamu Duza, on Thursday, the inspection tour began on Monday, January 8, 2024.
John began his tour with the medium-security custodial centre, Kuje.
Afterwards, he proceeded to the Dukpa Model Farm Centre, the medium security custodial centre in Suleja, Niger State, Juvenile Deradicalisation Special Centre and the medium security custodial centre in Karshi, Abuja, respectively.
In his address, the Controller of Corrections called on the staff of the facilities to be diligent in the discharge of their duties.
He said, “You must be up and doing in your various duty posts. You must avoid absenteeism and extortion from inmates and I will not condone trafficking or any form of misconduct.”
John, however, praised the staff for the peace and serenity in their various facilities urging them to continue on that note.
Appreciating the joint security forces guarding the Kuje custodial centre, comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Immigration Service, SSS and Nigerian Correctional Service Armsquad, John described their services as sacrifice.
He noted, “Your job is a sacrificial one. You sacrifice your lives for others to sleep. Therefore, no one should look down on you.”
He assured them of his support for ensuring that the security of the custodial centre is not compromised.
John encouraged the inmates to keep hope alive, noting that their imprisonment was not the end of life but a moment of trial.
He stated, “You being here is not the end of your life. When your term is completed, you will all leave.
“I want you to see your imprisonment as a moment of trial and a time to prepare for the future.”
He encouraged them to take advantage of the skill acquisition and education programmes of the service.
John was deployed to the FCT command on December 29 2023.
John took over from Ibrahim Idris, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections, in charge of Training and Staff Development.
The PUNCH reports that over 900 inmates, including 64 high-profile Boko Haram terrorists, fled the facility during a Kuje jailbreak on July 5, 2022.
Security operatives later launched a manhunt for the escapees and about 421 were recaptured.
