FG to relocate 29 custodial centres on security

The Federal Government has approved the relocation of 29 custodial centres across the country, citing rapid urbanization and growing security concerns.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, announced the decision on Friday while commissioning 39 mini green maria vehicles for inmate transportation and five bullet-proof guard booths at the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) headquarters in Abuja.

The minister explained that the relocation aims to address safety risks posed by the encroachment of urban developments around correctional facilities.

“In some places, custodial centres are directly facing the gates of state Government Houses, located within GRAs, or even sharing fences with markets and private residences,” Tunji-Ojo noted.

He confirmed that the President has “graciously approved” the relocation process, which has already commenced. “We have started, and we are committed to completing it,” he assured.

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Tunji-Ojo also announced plans for a new paramilitary academy aimed at professionalizing the workforce. “Paramilitary jobs are not poverty alleviation schemes; they are lifelong careers young Nigerians should aspire to.

“This is why the President has approved the creation of a paramilitary academy, similar to the Police Academy and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). The institution will award degrees and focus on grooming future leaders in the sector”, he said.

In his remarks, Sylvester Nwakuche, Acting Controller General of Corrections, highlighted the importance of the newly commissioned vehicles and guard booths in enhancing correctional services and ensuring facility security.

He revealed that the 39 mini green maria vehicles were procured specifically for the safe and efficient transportation of inmates to and from courtrooms.

“These vehicles will be distributed strategically across our commands based on operational needs and pressing demands,” Nwakuche stated.

To further fortify custodial centres against external attacks, the NCoS commissioned five bullet-resistant guard booths, now stationed at high-risk facilities, including the National Headquarters in Abuja, Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, and Maximum Security Custodial Centres in Port Harcourt, Kano, and Lagos.

“These booths are equipped with long-range surveillance capabilities and can withstand high-level threats, including 12.7mm General Multi-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) rounds and explosives,” Nwakuche explained.

He noted that the booths were indigenously built by EPAIL, a Lagos-based company, demonstrating the government’s support for local manufacturing.

Nwakuche also addressed the persistent issue of Awaiting Trial Persons (ATP) in Nigeria’s correctional facilities, revealing that as of February 17, 2025, the total inmate population stood at 80,066. Of this figure, 53,225 — representing 66% — are pretrial inmates, while only 34% or 26,841 are convicted prisoners serving sentences.

He emphasized that the newly procured vehicles would play a crucial role in improving court attendance for pretrial inmates, helping to reduce the ATP backlog.

“The timely production of inmates in court is a core function outlined in the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019. These vehicles will significantly enhance our ability to fulfill this mandate,” he added.