Bomana assault probe: Nepo flags possible officer–inmate collusion
Latest findings suggest there may have been serious outside influence behind the alleged assault of prisoners at Bomana Prison earlier this week.
Acting Correctional Service Commissioner Bernard Nepo confirmed this, saying a full investigation is now underway.
The incident, which occurred on February 23, followed a raid by correctional officers targeting illegal contraband, particularly mobile phones, inside the prison. While such searches are routine and necessary, Commissioner Nepo said this operation was carried out earlier than scheduled, raising serious concerns.
Initially defending officers accused of assaulting remandees at the country’s largest prison, Commissioner Nepo said their actions helped prevent a possible mass breakout. However, he has now indicated that some officers may have had ulterior motives.
He revealed this during a media conference on Friday.
"From the outset, I must say that a few officers may have colluded with a few prisoners to cause the situation on Monday when the search of those prisoners were initially planned for Wednesday."
He explained that the search had been delayed out of respect for a senior Bomana prison officer whose funeral was scheduled for Tuesday.
"It was also agreed that there was a funeral service of a senior Bomana prison officer taking place on Tuesday. Out of respect, the planned search was to take place on Wednesday or Thursday."
"But people with sincere motives decided to do the search on Monday, which would be seriously questioned," he said.
Commissioner Nepo warned that the actions of those who instigated the unrest could have resulted in loss of life.
"Some of these non-prisoners would have lost their lives. Fortunately, the same instigators came to the rescue when the reinforcement team came and bashed them up."
"It was evident there and then that the prison officers who were confronting each other was an indication that some of our officers were taking sides with those prisoners," Nepo said.
The Acting Commissioner reminded all correctional and security personnel of their responsibility to uphold discipline and protect national security.
He warned officers to take their duties seriously, saying personal greed and selfish actions threaten not only the institution but future generations and the security of the country.