Abuja: The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has urged all levels of government to collaborate in relocating custodial centres overtaken by urbanisation. Tunji-Ojo made the call during a stakeholders’ engagement on the report by the Independent Panel on Alleged Corruption and Violations against the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) on Tuesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, partnerships with state governments are essential to relocate old custodial centres situated too close to residents. Tunji-Ojo emphasized that urbanisation has overtaken several correctional centres, and many of these facilities need to be relocated. He highlighted the Enugu centre’s proximity to GRA, the Akwa Ibom centre’s location opposite the government house, and the Ibadan centre’s position in a market area. Additionally, the Ikoyi Polo Club shares a fence with one of the centres.
The minister stressed the necessity of prompt and decisive action, noting that the federal government cannot act alone without support from states, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders. He mentioned the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, built in 1914, and the Ikoyi Custodial Centre, built in 1955, as examples of facilities needing relocation.
Tunji-Ojo disclosed that 90 per cent of inmates were state offenders, not federal. He added that the federal government would continue efforts to ensure custodial centres served rehabilitation, reformation, reintegration, and correction purposes.