The Nigerian Correctional Service has initiated a comprehensive investigation following the shocking discovery of a convicted armed robber attempting to obtain travel documents while serving a life sentence at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison.
The scandal unfolded when Haruna Ayo, currently serving a 21-year sentence for armed robbery after his initial life imprisonment was commuted, was found at the Nigerian Immigration Service passport office in FESTAC Town, Lagos, under highly suspicious circumstances.
The incident occurred on May 19 when prison warders from the Kirikiri facility in Apapa escorted Ayo to the immigration office, raising serious questions about internal security protocols and potential corruption within the correctional system.
According to investigations, Ayo was originally scheduled to be among five inmates assigned to perform domestic duties at the residence of a senior correctional facility officer. However, during this routine assignment, a junior officer allegedly redirected the supervising warder to hand over the inmate to him, subsequently transporting Ayo to the passport processing center.
The scheme began to unravel when immigration officials at the FESTAC office became suspicious of the unusual circumstances surrounding Ayo’s presence. According to Punch, the situation escalated when the escorting warder grew restless during the wait and made a revealing statement.
“While waiting to be attended to, the warder escorting him became impatient and said, ‘I need to take him back to the cell.’ That statement triggered alarm among immigration officials, who detained both the inmate and the officer and escalated the matter,” a source told Punch.
The Nigerian Immigration Service immediately reported the incident to the NCoS Lagos Command headquarters at Alagbon, triggering the current investigation. The swift action by immigration officials prevented what could have been a major security breach.
In response to the scandal, correctional service authorities have suspended at least two officers, including one identified as Femi. However, sources within the system suggest the problem may be more widespread than initially apparent.
“The real culprits are not being punished. This is a system issue, and many people are involved,” a source told Punch, indicating potential systemic corruption within the facility.
Further investigation has revealed that Ayo had been exploiting medical appointment procedures to facilitate his travel document processing scheme. The convicted robber had reportedly claimed to suffer from health complications requiring treatment at a medical facility near FESTAC Town, providing him with legitimate reasons for temporary releases from the facility.
However, medical records now under review tell a different story. Officials have confirmed that Ayo underwent three separate medical evaluations, all of which certified him as physically fit, casting doubt on his claimed health issues.
“He exploited this loophole to move around freely. The hospital in question is also being investigated for possible complicity,” an official revealed, suggesting the investigation may extend beyond the correctional service.
Ayo, whose original life sentence was reduced to 21 years for armed robbery, was scheduled for release on October 11, 2025. The timing of his passport application, just months before his scheduled release, has raised additional questions about his intentions and potential flight risk.
The scandal has highlighted significant security vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s correctional system and raised concerns about the effectiveness of monitoring mechanisms for high-risk inmates. The case also underscores potential coordination between corrupt officials across multiple government agencies.
The Nigerian Correctional Service has not yet released an official statement regarding the full scope of the investigation or additional disciplinary measures being considered. The case continues to develop as authorities work to determine the extent of the alleged conspiracy and identify all parties involved in facilitating the inmate’s unauthorized travel document processing.
This incident represents one of the most serious security breaches involving the Nigerian correctional system in recent years and has prompted calls for comprehensive reforms to prevent similar occurrences.
