Watchtower Decay Raises Security Concerns At Edo Custodial Centre

Concerns have mounted  over security at the Oko Medium Security Correctional Centre in Edo State following the deterioration of a key watchtower within the facility.

The centre, which was affected during the #EndSARS protests, is among custodial facilities under scrutiny amid recurring attacks and jailbreaks across the country.

The officer-in-charge of the facility, deputy controller of corrections, Henry Eromosele, said the watchtower began to deteriorate around 2023 due to prolonged exposure to weather conditions.

He said the situation worsened by mid-2025, affecting its functionality and limiting operational effectiveness, particularly during the rainy season.

“It became difficult for officers stationed at the tower to effectively carry out their duties,” he said.

Data presented at the House of Representatives shows that over 7,000 inmates escaped in 17 jailbreaks nationwide between September 2015 and July 2023.

The Oko facility, commissioned in 1988 with a capacity of 608 inmates, serves as a custodial centre for awaiting-trial and convicted inmates in Edo State and the South-South region.

Sources familiar with the development attributed delays in repairing the structure to funding constraints and administrative processes.

Intervention later came from the Civic Rights Advancement & Information Initiative (CRAII), a non-governmental organisation involved in correctional welfare.

The organisation’s National Coordinator, Andrew Akpor, said the issue was identified during a visit to the facility in July 2025.

“The condition of the watchtower posed operational challenges for personnel,” Akpor said.

He said the group carried out repairs in collaboration with correctional authorities, deploying local artisans to complete the work in August 2025 despite logistical constraints.

Controller of Corrections, Edo State Command, Sunday Oyakhire, said the intervention has improved surveillance and working conditions at the facility.

“The restored structure has enhanced operational efficiency and boosted staff confidence,” he said.

The development has renewed calls for sustained investment in correctional infrastructure nationwide.