Nigerian Prison Officer Working in Texas Arrested Over Public Intoxication Allegation

A Nigerian correctional officer based in the United States has been arrested in Texas over an alleged public intoxication incident. The officer, who reportedly works with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, was taken into custody by local law enforcement after authorities responded to the situation.

According to reports, the arrest was made in Huntsville, Texas, where the officer was charged with public intoxication. Following his arrest, he was processed and later released on a personal recognizance bond, allowing him to leave custody while awaiting further legal proceedings.

Public intoxication is generally considered a misdemeanor offense in Texas and applies when an individual is found to be intoxicated in a public place to the extent that they may pose a danger to themselves or others. The case is expected to proceed through the local court system, where the allegations will be addressed.

The incident has attracted attention both in the United States and among Nigerians, particularly because it involves a law enforcement professional entrusted with maintaining public safety. Authorities have not disclosed whether the arrest will have any impact on the officer’s employment status, and no further official statement has been released regarding the case.

The Peoples Gazette learnt that the 37-year-old was arrested on Sunday by officers from the Huntsville Police Department for being under the influence of alcohol in public.

Mr Lawal, who is assigned to Wainwright Unit in Lovelady having joined the TDCJ as a correctional officer in May 2025, was subsequently charged with public intoxication before he was released on a personal recognisance bond.

Additionally, jail records showed that the suspect was assessed a $281 fine. Under Texas laws, public intoxication is considered a Class C misdemeanor and it is only punishable by fine up to $500.

It was not the first time a Nigerian correctional officer employed by the TDCJ had been arrested for alleged criminal conduct.

The Gazette reported in May that Ayodele Abiodun Afosi was arrested and charged for allegedly fleeing the scene of an accident, causing damage worth more than $200.

Mr Afosi’s arrest came just three months after he was hired by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a prison guard, putting his employment with the state in jeopardy.

The outcome of Mr Afosi’s case has still yet to be released.