Relocation of 29 correctional centers from metropolitan areas approved by Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has approved the relocation of 29 prisons from metropolitan regions all throughout the nation.
During the unveiling of operational cars for the Nigerian Correctional Service on Friday, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, proclaimed this information to the public.
Tunji-Ojo commissioned 39 new cars and five bullet-resistant guard booths for the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Many 19th-century detention facilities, like those in Suleja and Ikoyi, are antiquated, Tunji-Ojo said.
“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 We cannot continue to work with such outdated infrastructure.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 added, “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.”
This step is necessary to create a more effective and rehabilitative correctional system, as current facilities are outdated, according to Tunji-Ojo.
Current correctional officer welfare measures were also discussed by the minister.
“We are making progress. We are not yet where we need to be, but we are certainly not where we were.”
He noted that transferring detention centres will boost the government’s reform goal, including better inmate and police conditions.
The minister noted President Tinubu’s correctional officer welfare improvements.
Over the previous two years, more than “50,000 paramilitary officers have been promoted,” correcting longstanding promotion system flaws.
“We are encouraging our officers and ensuring 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,” he added.