A major scandal has shaken the Potiskum Correctional Centre in Yobe State after an officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, Sani Saleh-Bodejo, allegedly raped and impregnated an inmate, Blessing Sunday.
Sources inside the facility say the officer, an Assistant Superintendent of Correctional Services (ASC II), carried out the assault with help from a female officer who supervises the women’s section.
Another inmate, Salma, also accused the same officer of raping her.
Doctors examined Ms Sunday and confirmed that she is about 27 weeks pregnant.
Officials Accused of Trying to Cover Up the Case
Several insiders claim that senior officials in the command tried to hide the incident. They allegedly discussed ending the pregnancy despite the serious risks to Ms Sunday.
The Controller-General of Corrections received a report about the case through the ACG in charge of Zone R, Adamu Yahaya. Officers in the command submitted the report shortly after the issue reached the zonal headquarters.
One source explained that the command documented Ms Sunday’s pregnancy when she was a little over three months along. The source added that ACG Yahaya only learned the details when he visited the centre for other reasons.
Zonal Office Recommends Disciplinary Action
The zonal headquarters has urged the command to punish everyone involved in the assault and the alleged cover-up.
According to multiple insiders, the officers linked to the case include State Controller Abdullah Ibrahim; Officer-in-Charge of Potiskum Prison, ACC Ibrahim Tafida; ASC Sani Saleh-Bodejo; IC Shaba Auta, who recently moved to the state controller’s office; the housekeeper; and the yardmaster.
Attempts to Bury the Case
Another source revealed that Officer-in-Charge Ibrahim Tafida invited Ms Sunday’s father to a private meeting in an attempt to silence the matter.
ASC Saleh-Bodejo later left the facility after authorities moved him to a non-custodial centre in Jakusko, Yobe State. IC Shaba Auta also relocated to the state headquarters. Many staff members believe these transfers were meant to bury the case.
Officials Respond
When contacted, the Yobe State Controller, Abdullahi Ibrahim, denied knowing anything about the allegations and ended the call.
ACG Zone R, Adamu Yahaya, refused to comment as well.
However, the NCoS spokesman for the Yobe Command, Abdullahi Adamu, said he would investigate and provide feedback.
