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Tinubu Authorizes Transfer of 29 Correctional Facilities
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facilities, such as those in Suleja, Niger State and Ikoyi, Lagos State, were established in the 19th century and were outdated.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 We cannot continue to work with such outdated infrastructure.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.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, has claimed that the police have sealed off the headquarters in Osogbo.
In a video post on the OSSIEC X handle, Abioye accused the police of also arresting election officials and blocking journalists from covering the local government election.
According to him, several OSSIEC officials were detained while on their way to polling units on Saturday.
Attempts by our correspondent to reach Abioye for further details proved abortive as his telephone line was switched off.
The OSSIEC chair, in the post, assured voters that materials had been deployed to affected areas.
So far so good, the reports have been positive and the conduct has been very smooth and peaceful as against the false alarm raised by the police. Everywhere is calm,” Abioye said.
“The only thing is that in some of the areas in which materials are supposed to have arrived for voters to cast their votes, we had reports of police arresting our officials.
“I don’t know on whose order because there is no court order that warranted the arrest of officers of our officials.
“As it is, we have deployed materials to those units because we have enough on the ground.
For our people in the media community, I want to apologise for the inadequacy of the tags and the jackets because we have enough but the police sealed our office and that was not warranted at all.”
Abioye’s comments come after police had called for the local government election to be called off by the state government, citing a security threat.
In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, the Police said it received credible intelligence indicating a likelihood of violence and significant security threats should the planned elections proceed.
The police explained that reports gathered from joint intelligence gathering revealed that various groups, including political elements and other interested parties, are mobilising to instigate unrest, disrupt public peace and undermine the democratic order.
However, the Osun State government acknowledged the police’s advice but insisted on going on with the election.
Channels Television reports that the election eventually went on as scheduled on Saturday.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has said he has never insulted President Bola Tinubu in his entire lifr
He praised him for his support of the rule of law during the ongoing local government elections in the state.
Speaking to newsmen in his hometown of Ede on Saturday, Adeleke emphasized the importance of maintaining legal integrity in the electoral process.
The governor also took the opportunity to clarify that he had never made any negative comments about the president. “I did not at any point make any negative remarks about Mr. President. Any news reports suggesting that I criticized him are completely false,” Adeleke stated. “I have always been supportive and cooperative with the federal government.”
Adeleke further assured the public that his past broadcasts, including two addressed to the people, did not contain any attacks on President Tinubu. He urged the public and relevant stakeholders to disregard any fake news regarding his position on the president, especially in the context of the ongoing election.
Reflecting on the local government election, the governor described the process as smooth and well-organized, offering praise to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) for its efficient conduct.
Also commending the electorate, Mr. Teslim Igbalaye, the Secretary to the State Government, praised the large turnout of voters in the election. Speaking in Osogbo, Igbalaye highlighted the peaceful nature of the voting process and expressed confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would emerge victorious.
“I want to commend the electorate for coming out in large numbers to cast their votes. The election has been peaceful, and I believe the PDP will win,” Igbalaye remarked.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Senator who represented Bauchi South Senatorial District, Lawal Yahaya Gumau, in the 9th Assmbu has passed away at the age of 57.
He died in Abuja after a brief illness, according to close sources.
The news was confirmed on Saturday morning by Comrade Haruna Usman Muhammad, a former aide to the late lawmaker.
Senator Gumau assumed office in 2018 after winning a by-election to represent Bauchi South. That election followed the unfortunate death of the then-serving senator, Ali Wakili..
He was later re-elected as senator during the 2019 general elections and served until 2023.
The deceased’s bid to return to the upper legislative chamber was not successful in the 2023 general elections.
Prior to his tenure in the Senate, he had served two consecutive terms in the House of Representatives, representing where he represented Toro Federal Constituency from 2011 to 2018
The late Senator was known for his contributions on legislative advocacy, infrastructure projects for his constituents as well as youth empowerment.
It was learnt that the deceased lawmaker will be buried on Saturday in Abuja.
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