FG to fortify custodial centres against jail breaks

The Federal Government has promised to deploy bullet-resistant guard booths (vehicles) in four custodial centres and the national headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), to forestall external attacks.

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while commissioning 39 duty escort vehicles, including mini green maria and five bullet-resistant guard booths at the weekend in Abuja, said the equipment were to ease movement of inmates to and from the courts, as well as ensure protection of strategic duty posts from aggressions.

His words: “The guard booths will therefore aid early threat detection and facilitate effective combat.” He also revealed plan to relocate 29 correctional centres of the 256 nationwide threatened by urbanisation and aging.

According to him, the relocation is of utmost concern to the government, as this could breach public safety. The minister said: “We are relocating about 29 of our correctional centres that have been taken up by urbanisation. For instance, Agodi correctional centre in Ibadan, Ikoyi, the Enugu centre, which is inside the Government Reserve Area, the centre in Akwa Ibom close to the Government House, and Suleja facility.

“I applied for the relocation of some of these correctional centres and the President graciously agreed for us to start the process.” Controller General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, said the newly acquired vehicles were to directly respond to the evolving challenges faced by the service, particularly in ensuring the timely production of inmates in courts, and prevention of attacks on custodial facilities.

“As clearly outlined in the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, one of our core functions is the conveyance of remand persons to and from courts in motorised formations. These new additions to our fleet will significantly bolster our capacity to meet this critical aspect of our mandate, he explained.

The CG added: “Beyond enhancing inmates’ court attendance, these vehicles play a vital role in addressing the longstanding issue of Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs) in our custody. 

“As of Monday, 17th February 2025, our total inmate population stood at 80,066. Out of this number, 53,225 representing 66 per cent, are pretrial inmates, while only 34 per cent or 26,841 inmates, are convicted inmates serving various terms.

“This large army of ATPs requires regular attendance in courts. With this strengthened fleet, we are poised to improving court attendance, thus playing our part in the swift administration of justice and contributing to the overall decongestion of our correctional facilities.”