The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has removed the Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, along with two other senior officers, following a security breach involving a death row inmate who allegedly conducted TikTok live sessions while in custody.

The inmate, identified as Elijah Oyebode, was sentenced to death by hanging in 2019 after being convicted by an Osun State High Court for the murder of Rofiat Adebisi, a final-year student of Osun State University.

Court records indicate that Oyebode gave conflicting accounts of the incident during investigation and trial, before eventually denying involvement. However, the court found him guilty based on medical evidence and other materials presented.

Reports revealed that despite being on death row, the inmate allegedly maintained an active presence on TikTok, where one of his accounts reportedly reached Level 20 gifting status, enabling him to receive monetary gifts during livestreams. He was also allegedly linked to another account used to impersonate a popular content creator and activist.

Confirming the development in a statement issued on Thursday, the Public Relations Officer of the NCoS, Chief Superintendent of Corrections, JN Osuji, described the incident as a serious breach of custodial regulations and prison security protocols.

Osuji disclosed that preliminary investigations showed the inmate unlawfully possessed a prohibited mobile phone, which he used to access social media platforms from within the facility.

“The device has been recovered and secured as an exhibit for further investigation,” the statement noted.

The NCoS further stated that Oyebode has been transferred to another custodial facility and placed under enhanced security measures pending the outcome of investigations.

It added that the Officer-in-Charge of the Ibara Medium Custodial Centre and two other principal officers have been relieved of their duties pending the conclusion of the ongoing probe.