Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, says President Bola Tinubu has approved the relocation of 29 correctional centres across the country.
The minister spoke in Abuja on Friday at the unveiling of 29 newly acquired vehicles and five bullet-resistant guard booths for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
He said the president’s approval is part of ongoing efforts by the federal government to modernise the nation’s custodial facilities.
Tunji-Ojo said many of the existing correctional facilities, such as those in Suleja, Niger state and Ikoyi, Lagos, are outdated.
“The ongoing expansion of structures of the correctional facilities across the country is part of the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President,” he said.
“There are 256 correctional facilities across the country. The Suleja medium security custodial was established as far back as 1914, and urbanisation has caught up with many of the custodial centres.
“So, there are plans to relocate 29 out of the 256 custodial centres in the country. President Bola Tinubu inherited some of these liabilities, and he is not running away from addressing the challenges.
“For instance, the custodial centres in Agodi, Ibadan, Ikoyi maximum, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Suleja would be relocated because urbanisation has caught up with them.
“We have to solve these problems one by one, and I want to assure you that the process of relocating these correctional centres has already started. We are making progress.
“We are not yet where we need to be, but we are certainly not where we were.”
In April 2024, 118 inmates escaped from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre after a heavy downpour destroyed parts of the facility, including its perimeter fence.