In a jaw-dropping revelation, Sahara Reporters has uncovered a chilling crime syndicate operating from within the Okere Correctional Centre in Warri, Delta State. A group of serving inmates, including a death row convict, allegedly bribed corrupt prison officials to slip in and out of the facility undetected, carrying out armed robbery operations in Benin City, Edo State.
The daring heist took place on January 3, 2025, when a young man in Benin City was ambushed by armed criminals who robbed him of valuable possessions and transferred N4 million from his bank account to an unknown recipient. Despite reporting the crime to the Edo State Police Command, little progress was made initially.
A geo-analysis of the transaction eventually pointed investigators to Udu, Delta State, leading to a major breakthrough. The account holder—a young woman—was arrested and, under interrogation, confessed that she had opened the bank account on instructions from a man she met online. The suspect claimed she had no idea the funds were tied to criminal activity.
Further investigations led police to the Warri Correctional Centre, where authorities traced the criminal operation to inmates who had illicitly left the prison, carried out the robbery, and returned undetected.
However, when police stormed the facility to apprehend the culprits, they met stiff resistance from prison officials, who allegedly attempted to shield the suspects. After intense pressure, only one suspect—a death row inmate—was handed over to the authorities, confirming his role in the robbery.
Speaking to Sahara Reporters, Engr. Udoka Emmanuel Chika-dibie, Executive Assistant (Security) to the Delta State Governor, confirmed that some prison officials had been bribed to facilitate the illicit movements of inmates. He disclosed that the criminals would leave the prison for operations, execute their crimes, and return to their cells unnoticed, thanks to colluding officers.
“All the robbers involved in this crime are serving inmates. But because we have corrupt officials, they take bribes and allow criminal inmates to go out for operations and return,” Chika-dibie revealed.
According to police reports, one of the robbers, under the alias “offshore worker,” manipulated the arrested woman into facilitating the illicit financial transactions. She recounted how she was misled into opening the bank account, believing it was for legitimate reasons.
Public Outrage and Calls for Reform
The case has ignited public outrage, with citizens demanding an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s correctional system. Critics argue that the very institutions meant to rehabilitate criminals are enabling them instead.
Further revelations indicate that three additional inmates, also implicated in the robbery, were initially shielded by the prison authorities but were later surrendered under mounting pressure.
“What kind of a country is this? Death row inmates are sneaking out to rob and kidnap, then returning to prison to live comfortably. If we don’t interrogate this system, we have failed our generation,” a top security source lamented.
When contacted for comment, Bright Edafe, Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, promised to investigate but had not responded as of the time of filing this report.
This shocking revelation raises serious concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s correctional system and the extent of corruption within security agencies. With public trust on the line, the question remains: Will the authorities act decisively, or will this criminal enterprise continue unchecked?
PIONEER NEWS 