The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Controller General, Sylvester Nwakuche, has ordered a sweeping security overhaul across all custodial facilities to prevent jailbreaks and safeguard national security, authorities disclosed on June 4, 2025.
During an emergency virtual meeting with zonal coordinators and state commanders, Nwakuche demanded heightened vigilance, citing recent prison breaches in Osun, Maiduguri, and Suleja. He emphasized deploying advanced surveillance technologies, including CCTV and drones, to fortify facilities against external attacks and internal lapses.
Nwakuche, addressing senior officers, warned that negligence would face severe consequences, stating, “Our mandate is to protect society by securing inmates humanely.” The directive follows a 2024 Suleja escape where 104 inmates fled after a wall collapse, exposing vulnerabilities in aging infrastructure.
The NCoS is collaborating with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to enhance perimeter defenses, with plans to audit facilities for overcrowding and structural weaknesses. Critics, however, argue that chronic underfunding and corruption within the system remain unaddressed, risking further incidents.
Public concern grows as 57,288 of 84,283 inmates await trial, clogging facilities and fueling unrest. Nwakuche’s push for technological upgrades and stricter oversight aims to restore trust, but stakeholders demand broader reforms to tackle systemic issues in Nigeria’s correctional framework.
The initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, prioritizing secure and humane custody. As NCoS rolls out inspections and training, communities near custodial centers call for transparency to ensure safety and prevent future breaches.
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