Tunde Ayeni allegedly loses valuables worth N120m in Kuje Prison raid

Former Chairman of Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, has reportedly lost a luxury wristwatch and wedding ring valued at over N120 million during a security operation at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

Sources within the custodial facility said the incident occurred during a raid allegedly carried out by senior officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service, including the Deputy Controller-General in charge of Operations, alongside other prison officers.

According to Sahara Reporters, which quoted insiders at the facility, the operation involved a surprise search of cells and inmate areas. The exercise was said to have been conducted with armed personnel and support allegedly involving Department of State Services (DSS) dogs, creating tension and panic among inmates.

One of the sources alleged that Ayeni’s valuables were taken during the operation.

“A former Skye Bank chairman in Kuje prison was searched and his wedding ring and wristwatch worth over N120 million were taken by officers during the raid,” the source said.

The source also claimed that suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, who is also detained at the facility, lost about N2 million in cash during the same exercise.

“Abba Kyari also lost about N2 million. The officers came in with DSS dogs and bulletproof vests, and the atmosphere became chaotic,” the source added.

Another inmate source described the operation as disorderly, alleging that cash and personal belongings of some high-profile detainees were not properly documented.

The alleged incident has reportedly sparked tension within the facility, with inmates accusing officials of intimidation and abuse of power during the search operation.

It was further gathered that Ayeni is considering lodging a formal complaint demanding an investigation into the alleged disappearance of his valuables.

However, prison authorities have reportedly maintained that the exercise was a routine search operation carried out in line with standard security procedures at the custodial centre.