Nationwide Protests: Federal Govt Declares Correctional Centres As ‘Red Zones’

In anticipation of the nationwide protests against bad governance set to begin on August 1, the Federal Government has declared all 256 custodial centres across Nigeria as “red zones”, warning that their sanctity must not be violated under any circumstances.

Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Halliru Nababa, issued the warning in a statement signed on his behalf by the Service Spokesman, ACC Abubakar Danlami Umar, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Nababa stated, “In view of the purported national protest scheduled to hold on the first day of August 2024, the Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to inform the public that the Custodial Centres have been designated as red zones; therefore, any person or group of persons who have no business whatsoever, should steer clear.”

The statement emphasised the importance of the custodial facilities, noting, “Custodial and Non-custodial Centres are critical national assets which are germane to public safety as well as national security. Tampering with or attacking them will lead to breakdown of law and order, and further exacerbate the security of the society in general.”

The Nigerian Correctional Service has urged the public to cooperate in safeguarding the facilities. “The Service strongly advises all members of the public to join hands with the Service to ensure the protection of correctional facilities. Adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that no correctional facility is defiled,” the statement read.

To bolster security, the Ministry of Interior Joint Taskforce (MOIJTF) has been activated to provide additional protection in and around custodial centres nationwide.

Nababa also expressed gratitude for the public’s ongoing cooperation in maintaining peace and order around correctional centres. He urged citizens to report any suspicious activities or plans to the Nigerian Correctional Service via email at [email protected], through their official website at www.corrections.gov.ng, or by calling 09060004598 or 08075050006.