The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has reacted to the suicide of one of its personnel, Alfred Bassa.
Bassa, who was an Assistant Superintendent of Prisons, was reported to have committed suicide while on duty at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State on October 2.
He reportedly did so having sat for and passed the promotional examination on three occasions but was denied promotion on all three occasions.
However, the service dismissed the report, saying the official committed suicide due to mental illness and not lack of promotion.
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Spokesman of the NCoS in Nasarawa, Stephen A. Abene stated that having been employed in August 2016, Alfred Bassa could not have been eligible for three promotion examinations as reported.
According to him, promotion examinations are conducted once in three years.
“I wish to announce the demise of ASC Alfred G. Bassa, who until his death was serving at MSCC Keffi New. His death is sad and unfortunate. May God rest him.
“He was employed on August 1, 2016. Accordingly, he has spent 4 years of Service and was just due for his first advancement in service which is already being processed. Promotion exams in the Correctional Service are due every 3 years. How then has he done 3 promotional exams, not to talk of failing, within 4 years of service?
“From our findings, ASC Alfred G. Bassa died as a result of a protracted illness that led to a psychiatric problem. Contrary to insinuation trending on social media and other platforms that the deceased passed away as a result of missing promotion. I wish to state that such information should be disregarded, please,” Abene stated.