The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has destroyed 1,167 mobile phones smuggled into custodial centres nationwide and sanctioned 147 personnel over misconduct linked to contraband trafficking.

Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, where the seized devices were incinerated at the service headquarters under his supervision.

The destroyed items included iPhones, Android devices, basic phones and other unauthorised gadgets recovered from facilities across the country within the past eight months.

Nwakuche said the move underscored the service’s resolve to eliminate threats to security and discipline within correctional centres.

“Their presence within our facilities is unacceptable. They compromise security, disrupt discipline, and create channels through which criminal activities are sustained from within custody,” he said.

He added that N2,569,000 in cash confiscated from inmates during the operations had been remitted to the appropriate government treasury in line with financial regulations.

The Controller-General warned that contraband trafficking could not occur without internal compromise, stressing that erring officers would face strict sanctions.

“Any officer who aids, ignores, or facilitates this act is in direct violation of their oath and a threat to the integrity of this Service,” he said.

He reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance stance on indiscipline, noting that those found culpable would be dismissed and prosecuted.

The development reflects ongoing reforms within the NCoS aimed at tightening security and restoring order across Nigeria’s custodial system.