The Federal Government has directed an immediate vulnerability assessment of all correctional facilities. This directive comes in anticipation of the upcoming Sallah festivities and the risks posed by intensified rainfall.
The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, made the announcement during an emergency virtual meeting convened with Zonal Coordinators, Training College Commandants, and State Controllers. The meeting aimed to outline security measures and implement proactive strategies to prevent breaches.
Speaking through the Service’s spokesperson, DCC Abubakar Umar, the CGC warned that senior officers must ensure the security of correctional facilities or be held accountable.
“This is not just about concrete walls and iron bars—it’s about trust, duty, and the safety of every Nigerian,” Nwakuche asserted. “The time for complacency is over.”
During the session, the CGC engaged with senior officials, acknowledging commendable efforts while also calling out lapses and urging the adoption of innovative solutions to modern correctional challenges.
Key resolutions from the high-level meeting include an immediate audit of all custodial centres to identify vulnerabilities, reinforcement of security in high-risk facilities, and the removal of weak links within the custodial chain. Officers were directed to intensify surveillance and adhere strictly to the Service’s zero-tolerance policy.
The CGC stressed internal accountability, stating that any personnel found negligent, complicit, or derelict in their duties would face severe consequences.
The meeting concluded with a strong call for discipline, unity, and vigilance among correctional staff, while urging deeper collaboration with other security agencies and the public to maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s correctional system.
