*Severe sanctions await correctional officers aiding criminal activities – Minister

*Experts proffer soutions

From death threats sent from prison cells to multimillion-dollar scams coordinated behind high walls, a disturbing underworld is thriving inside Nigeria’s custodial centres. Vanguard investigation reveals how some inmates turn prisons into command centres for kidnapping, fraud and extortion operations.

By Henry Ojelu

Last month, a text message landed on Odion Akagbosu’s phone late at night. It was short, cold and terrifying. “Someone wants you dead. He sent us to kill you, but I don’t want to kill an innocent soul. Comply with me or I will not show mercy.”