In line with the ongoing efforts to modernize the nation’s correctional facilities, President Bola Tinubu has authorized the relocation of 29 correctional centers across the country.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this during the commissioning of 39 newly acquired vehicles and five bullet-resistant guard booths for the Nigerian Correctional Service in Abuja on Friday.

Tunji-Ojo noted that many of the existing correctional facilities, such as those in Suleja, Niger State and Ikoyi, Lagos State, were established in the 19th century and were outdated.

“Suleja correctional centre was established in 1914, Ikoyi in 1956, and we even have facilities from the 19th century. We cannot continue to work with such outdated infrastructure. The President has graciously approved for us to start the process of relocating 29 correctional centres,” he stated.

The minister emphasised the urgent need for modernisation to improve the conditions for both correctional officers and inmates, noting that the relocation was part of a larger plan to address the infrastructural challenges that have hindered the effectiveness of the correctional system.

He also reassured the public of the government’s commitment to reform, saying, “We have to solve these problems one by one, and I want to assure you that the process of relocating these correctional centres has already started.”

Tunji-Ojo further noted that the move was essential for the creation of a more effective and rehabilitative correctional system, stating that the current facilities no longer meet modern standards.

He added that the relocation of the correctional centres would further enhance the government’s broader reform agenda, which includes better conditions for both inmates and officers.

On the efforts to improve the welfare of correctional officers, the minister said, “We are making progress. We are not yet where we need to be, but we are certainly not where we were.”

He explained that in the past two years, more than 50,000 paramilitary officers had been promoted, addressing long-standing issues in the promotion system.

Tunji-Ojo also spoke about the broader vision for the future of Nigeria’s paramilitary and correctional services, saying, “We are building a system where the paramilitary will be at the centre of internal security in Nigeria. This is a function of capacity, and capacity is a function of knowledge acquisition.”

He emphasised the importance of professionalising the correctional services, noting that recruitment practices should be rigorous and in line with international standards.

“We are encouraging our officers, and we are making sure that they are properly trained. But beyond that, we must ensure that the correctional system is not just about punishment but also about rehabilitation and transformation,” the minister added.

In his address, the Acting Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, expressed his excitement about the new acquisitions, which include specialised vehicles for transporting inmates to and from courts.

The vehicles will be distributed to various commands based on operational needs and demand.

In addition to the escort vehicles, the NCoS also unveiled five bullet-resistant guard-booths.

These booths, stationed at strategic locations including the National Headquarters, Abuja, and several high-security custodial centres in Kuje, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Lagos, are designed to secure facilities against external attacks.

Equipped with long-range surveillance capabilities, the booths offer resistance to high-level threats, including heavy weaponry and explosives.

“The acquisition of these vehicles directly responds to the evolving challenges faced by the NCoS, particularly in ensuring the timely production of inmates in courts. 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,” Nwakuche added.