A convicted armed robber serving time at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Haruna Ayo, has become the subject of a full-scale investigation after he was discovered attempting to obtain a Nigerian passport and visa at the FESTAC Town passport office of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Lagos.
The astonishing incident occurred on Wednesday, May 19, and has since sent shockwaves through both the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and the Immigration Service.
Ayo, whose life sentence for armed robbery was later commuted to a 21-year prison term, was reportedly due for release in October 2025. However, authorities were baffled when he appeared at the passport office under highly questionable circumstances.
According to reports, Ayo was part of a small group of five inmates selected that day to carry out domestic chores at the private residence of the officer-in-charge of the correctional centre. It was during this outing that the situation took a dramatic turn.
A lower-ranking officer, allegedly following the directive of a superior, instructed the warder responsible for supervising Ayo to release him temporarily. The inmate was then taken directly to the FESTAC passport office, a move that defied protocol and raised suspicions almost immediately.
While Ayo waited at the passport processing area, the warder who escorted him grew visibly anxious and reportedly remarked, “I need to take him back to the cell.” This unusual comment alerted immigration officers, who quickly became suspicious of the situation.
“The moment the warder mentioned returning him to a prison cell, immigration officials sensed something was amiss. They detained both the inmate and the escorting officer and escalated the matter to the authorities,” an insider disclosed.
The Nigeria Immigration Service subsequently alerted the NCoS Lagos Command at Alagbon. In response, disciplinary action was swiftly taken, leading to the suspension of at least two correctional officers, one of whom was identified only as Femi.
Further revelations emerged that this was not an isolated incident. It was discovered that Ayo had been exploiting medical appointments as a pretext to leave prison custody.
He reportedly claimed to suffer from a health condition that necessitated regular treatment at a medical facility near FESTAC. However, internal investigations have revealed that three independent medical assessments had earlier certified him as fit and healthy.
“This inmate manipulated the system, using alleged medical issues to secure unsupervised movement outside the facility. The hospital he claimed to visit is now also under investigation for possible involvement,” said a senior official close to the probe.
An insider criticized the disciplinary measures taken so far, stating, “The officers facing suspension are scapegoats. The rot runs deeper, and a number of high-ranking officials are involved. This isn’t just a lapse in judgment — it’s a systemic failure.”
The NCoS has vowed to get to the bottom of the scandal, as the investigation continues to unravel the extent of internal collusion that may have enabled the attempted escape.