Several inmates at Okere Prison in Warri South, Delta State, including a death row inmate, have been linked to a robbery operation in Benin City, Edo State. Reports indicate that corrupt prison officials facilitated their escape, allowing them to commit crimes and return undetected.
The robbery took place on January 3, 2025, when armed criminals stole valuable items and transferred ₦4 million to an online bank account.
Falana Seeks Clemency for Prisoner Sentenced to Death
The victim initially reported the case to the Edo State Police Command, but progress was slow. However, further geo-analysis traced the transaction to the Udu axis in Delta State, leading investigators to arrest the account holder.
Upon interrogation, the suspect revealed that her online boyfriend, who claimed to work offshore, instructed her to open a bank account for him, unaware that the funds were linked to a robbery.
The police’s advanced analysis eventually traced the crime back to Warri Correctional Centre, where they encountered resistance from prison officials before arresting one suspect—a death row inmate.
Delta State Governor’s Executive Assistant on Security, Engr. Udoka Emmanuel Chika-Dibie, confirmed that corrupt prison officials allegedly collected bribes to allow inmates to leave for criminal activities and return unnoticed.
Further pressure forced the prison to surrender three more suspects, exposing a disturbing pattern of corruption and security breaches.
Delta State Police Command spokesperson, Bright Edafe, was contacted for a response but had yet to comment as of the time of filing this report. The incident has sparked public outrage, with growing calls for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s correctional system.