The federal government has approved the relocation of 29 of Nigeria’s 256 custodial centres due to rapid urbanisation.
Minister of interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this yesterday in Abuja during the commissioning of 39 mini-green maria for transporting inmates to and from court, along with five bullet-resistant guard booths at the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) headquarters.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo said paramilitary jobs were not poverty alleviation schemes but rather serious career paths, with the establishment of a paramilitary academy aimed at fostering young talent in the sector.
“The president has graciously approved the relocation of about 29 of our custodial centres. The process has started, and we are determined to complete it,” he said.
He said the academy, similar to institutions like the Police Academy and Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), would serve as a degree-awarding institution to help nurture young Nigerians for life-long careers in paramilitary roles.
“The idea is to catch them young,” the minister added, noting that in some areas, custodial facilities are located near state government houses, markets or residential areas.
He also unveiled five bullet-resistant guard-booths stationed at various key locations, including the national headquarters in Abuja, Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, and Maximum Security Custodial Centres in Port Harcourt, Kano and Lagos. The booths, equipped with long-range surveillance capabilities and resistance to high-level threats such as 12.7mm ammunition, will bolster security at the centres.
The vehicles and guard booths are part of NCoS’s efforts to address challenges related to inmate transportation and security, especially concerning Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs).
LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that as of February 17, 2025, the total inmate population stood at 80,066, with 66 per cent (53,225) being pretrial inmates, highlighting the ongoing need for secure and efficient transportation to court.
