Nigerian Correctional Service Dismisses Senior Officer Over Unauthorized Photo Sharing

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed the dismissal of a senior officer for sharing photographs on social media without official authorization, in what the agency describes as a serious breach of professional conduct and national security regulations.

The disciplinary action was announced in a circular issued by the NCoS headquarters, which emphasized the Service’s zero-tolerance stance toward the unauthorized dissemination of internal materials, including memos, photos, and other sensitive documents.

According to the directive, the dismissed officer was found guilty of violating existing codes of conduct and laws prohibiting the disclosure of confidential official content.

The agency cited provisions of the Official Secrets Act, the Cybercrime Act, and the Criminal Code Act as legal backing for the action taken.

“All officers and men of the Service are hereby warned to desist from indiscriminate and unauthorized publication, sharing, forwarding, or commenting on official documents, images, or issues concerning the Nigerian Correctional Service across social media platforms,” the memo stated.

The directive applies broadly to platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, and X (formerly Twitter), where many internal updates or visuals have occasionally surfaced in the past, often triggering public scrutiny or misinformation.

While the identity of the dismissed officer was not disclosed, officials described the case as a precedent-setting measure intended to reinforce operational discipline and institutional integrity.

The NCoS emphasized that any personnel found sharing official documents, circulars, or photographs without clearance would face appropriate disciplinary actions, including dismissal and possible prosecution.

This development follows earlier internal communications from the Service dating back to 2023, warning officers to handle official documents with confidentiality and to avoid engaging in digital conduct that could undermine the image or operations of the Service.

The statement concluded with a strong caution to officers that any violation of this policy would attract “serious consequences,” including legal action under relevant national laws.

The move is being interpreted by observers as part of a wider effort by the Nigerian Correctional Service to tighten internal controls, prevent security breaches, and maintain professional standards in the digital age.