On Saturday, the Federal Government of Nigeria said it would create six modern custodial facilities in the country’s six geo-political zones.
This was reported by the Minister of the Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, during the inspection of the current Model Maximum Security Custodial facility project, Janguza, Kumbotso Kano State Local Government Region.
Aregbesola said that the project was part of the overhaul of the correctional service systems initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said: “We are actualising our commitment to reform Correctional Service that we have in Nigeria.
“What we have here is a model of what we expect to have nationwide and here is a 3,000 custodial facility, and we plan to have it in each of the six geo-political zones.
“This is more advanced in terms of space and other facilities. It is designed for inmates awaiting trial, petty, medium and maximum security facility.
“I am highly impressed by the pace and quality of work,” he said.
Aregbesola thanked President Buhari for his support for the restructuring of the Correctional Service to enhance its operations.
Mr Ahmad Jafaru, Controller-General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), said earlier that the project was planned for, among others, dormitories, schools, hospitals, skills training centers and a mosque.
Jafaru said the project was expected to be commissioned this year, adding that the service had also converted the old Kurmawa Maximum Prison into a center for rehabilitation.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) notes that the Minister was accompanied on the visit by, among others, the heads of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
Educator, writer and legal researcher at Alafarika for Studies and Consultancy.