The Federal Government has pledged to prevent incidents similar to the one at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja on April 24 from occurring at any of its 256 custodial centers nationwide.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this statement after inspecting the ongoing construction of a 3,000-capacity Custodial Centre in Karshi, Abuja, as well as both the old and new custodial centers in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Tunji-Ojo reiterated his commitment to relocating some custodial facilities that are being impacted by urbanization.
It is worth recalling that on April 24, heavy rainfall damaged the walls of the Suleja Custodial Centre, resulting in the escape of 118 inmates, some of whom remain at large.
At the New Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Tunji-Ojo noted that the facility is holding 750 inmates despite having a capacity for only 340. Of these 750 inmates, 605 are awaiting trial.
“Our correctional centers have evolved from prisons to Correctional Services, signaling a shift in ideology from incarceration to transformation, reformation, and correction,” Tunji-Ojo explained.
He mentioned their visit to Karshi to inspect the 3,000-capacity Custodial Centre construction, noting that there were a few observations that would be addressed internally.
In Keffi, he observed that the custodial centers are overpopulated, with more than 1,000 inmates across the old and new centers, almost reaching 1,500 in total. Many inmates from the FCT are housed there. The inspection included checking the perimeter fencing to prevent a repeat of the Suleja incident.
The Minister highlighted that part of the measures includes erecting concrete perimeter fences around the facilities.