How Corrupt Officials at Warri Correctional Centre Allegedly Helped Death Row Inmate, Others Sneak Out for Robbery in Benin

Police investigations have uncovered a shocking case of collusion between corrupt prison officials and serving inmates at the Okere Prison in Warri, Delta State, allowing prisoners— including a death row inmate— to leave the facility to commit armed robbery and return unnoticed.

The revelation follows a robbery incident on January 3, 2025, in Benin City, Edo State, where a group of armed assailants robbed a young man of valuable items and transferred ₦4 million to an online bank account. Initially, the victim reported the crime to the Edo State Police Command, but little progress was made in identifying the perpetrators.

Breakthrough came when the victim conducted a geo-analysis of the account, which led investigators to Udu, Delta State. A woman who held the suspicious account was arrested, revealing during interrogation that her online boyfriend had convinced her to open the account, claiming his phone had fallen into a river. She was later instructed to withdraw and transfer large sums of money, unaware that it was linked to criminal activities.

Further investigations led police to the Warri Correctional Facility, where evidence linked the robbery to several inmates. However, when officers stormed the prison, they faced resistance from officials who initially refused to produce the suspects. Despite the obstruction, police apprehended one death row inmate, who later confessed to participating in the robbery.

Engr. Udoka Emmanuel Chika-dibie, Executive Assistant (Security) to the Delta State Governor, confirmed that corrupt prison officials had allegedly accepted bribes to allow inmates temporary freedom for criminal operations. He stated that the prisoners involved in the Benin robbery had left the correctional facility, executed their crime, and returned without raising suspicion due to internal collusion.

A top security source disclosed that only one of the four-member gang from the prison was initially handed over to the police. Following public pressure and continued police efforts, prison officials later contacted the authorities to surrender the remaining three suspects. The incident has sparked public outrage, with calls for urgent reform in Nigeria’s correctional system to prevent such breaches of security.

When contacted for comment, Delta State Police Command spokesperson Bright Edafe promised to provide further information but had yet to respond as of the time of reporting.