FG boosts prison security with e-border surveillance, new vehicles – Tunji-Ojo

…as over 5,000 offenders serve non-custodial sentences

By Ukpono Ukpong

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to enhance prison security with the installation of an e-border surveillance system.

In his presentation during the Ministerial Briefing Session held in Abuja, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed that the federal government also procured 40 escort vehicles to facilitate inmate transportation.

Highlighting some of the achievements of the Ministry from January to December 2024, Tunji-Ojo stated that these measures were part of broader reforms aimed at safeguarding custodial facilities from external aggression.

“The Service has successfully emplaced measures to safeguard our Custodial Facilities against external aggressions,” he said.

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He added that the ongoing installation of the e-border surveillance system would strengthen security and monitoring within the correctional facilities.

In addition to security enhancements, the Minister announced the approval for recruiting 5,000 personnel into the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

This, he explained, would address manpower shortages and improve service efficiency.

“Securing of Presidential approval for the recruitment of 5,000 personnel to boost the Nigerian Correctional Service’s workforce is a major milestone,” he noted.

To improve the well-being of inmates, the government also secured approval for the recruitment of 100 nurses and 50 medical doctors.

Furthermore, he revealed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Medical Corps members are now being posted to custodial centers to provide medical support.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo also revealed a significant improvement in the feeding allowance of inmates.

“The government has approved the upward review of inmates’ feeding rate from N750.00 to N1,125.00 per inmate per day,” he stated, underscoring the administration’s commitment to humane correctional practices.

While noting that rehabilitation remains a core mandate of the Correctional Service, the minister disclised that between July and December 2024, 3,030 inmates were trained in various vocational skills, including carpentry, tailoring, poultry farming, and hairdressing.

“Additionally, 13 Violent Extremist Offenders (VEOs) were successfully rehabilitated under the Deradicalization Programme.

“Education also received attention, with over 50 inmates currently pursuing academic courses at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Special Study Centers within custodial facilities. Furthermore, 32 discharged inmates were empowered with aftercare materials to aid their reintegration into society.

To ease administrative processes, the Correctional Service expanded its zonal commands from 8 to 18, noting that the expansion will enhance administrative convenience and improve service delivery.

He also confirmed that 4,996 staff members had been trained between July and December 2024, with an additional 2,053 currently undergoing training.

Highlighting the non-custodial measures, Dr. Tunji-Ojo disclosed that over 5,000 offenders served non-custodial sentences in 2024. He emphasized that alternative sentencing options help reduce congestion in correctional facilities while promoting rehabilitation.

Looking ahead, the Minister announced that the Correctional Service had concluded arrangements with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to capture inmates’ biometric data. “This initiative will facilitate the issuance of National Identification Numbers (NIN) to inmates and improve record-keeping,” he explained.