By Mohammed Mohammed
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has assured Nigerians that necessary steps have been taken to forestall any future breach of the nation’s Correctional facilities.
I want to let you know that our Correctional facilities are now protected with state-of-art equipment and with well-trained armed men to forestall future attacks, the Minister, said.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, gave the assurance at the decoration of the newly promoted Officers of Correctional Service.
35 operational vehicles for para-military agencies under the ministry was also commissioned.
He identified congestion in the nation’s Correctional facilities as one of the greatest problems confronting the ministry
The Minister therefore the Controllers in charge of the nation’s correctional facilities to implement without delay, the Ministry’s directive to decongest the facilities as stipulated in the NCoS Act.
The Act stipulates a conducive human environment where inmates can actualise their potentials while serving their jail terms.
Aregbesola, noted that three quarters of overcrowded inmates are awaiting trials, he urged the Controllers to work with state governments to speedily dispense justice and attend to problems of inmates who are minor offenders that ought not to be behind bars for long.
The Minister thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for boosting the Ministry’s drive at decongesting the facilities through his approval for the building of ultra-modern correctional facilities in Kano and Karshi Abuja FCT, that will not only accommodate more inmates, but provide better facilities for inmates to improve their living conditions.
The facilities are also to enable the inmates aquire necessary skill acquisition in a conducive atmosphere that will enable them better their lots and prepare such inmates for subsequent integration to the society after serving their terms.
He appealed to the officers to see themselves as stakeholders in the maintenance of peace and security especially during the coming elections.
“We are a critical stakeholder in conduct of elections in Nigeria owing to our direct involvement in providing security before, during and after elections in addition to our routine day to day service.” he said.
“The Ministry has launched a mobile device enabled App called N-Alerts and is available for download via Android Google play store and iOS App store to provide real time opportunity to report any form of security issue ranging from election related matters, fire outbreak, attacks on national assets and infrastructure.
He also thanked the President for provision of the operational vehicles which will further enhance the performance of the Services.
Present at the occasion are, the Controller General of Correctional Service, Mr. Aliyu Nababa, the Chairman of the Board, Maj Gen (Rtd) E. E Bassey, Hon Comm (A &P), the Secretary of the Board, Ajia Aisha Rufai and directors from the ministry.
Signed: Afonja Fatai Ajibola, DD, (Press & Public Relations).
