NCoS boss orders tightened security at prisons

The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, has issued a direct order to all Zonal Coordinators, State Command Controllers, and heads of training institutions to secure all custodial facilities or face strict consequences.

This directive was given during an emergency virtual strategy session held Tuesday, convened to assess and strengthen the security of correctional facilities nationwide ahead of upcoming festivities.

Nwakuche, in a statement signed by the NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, stressed the importance of proactive measures to prevent potential breaches, warning that complacency would not be tolerated.

“This is not just about concrete walls and iron bars, it’s about trust, duty, and the safety of every Nigerian,” he said during the meeting.

According to the statement, the session also served as a platform for senior officers to raise concerns, present progress reports, and receive feedback. While the CGC applauded commendable efforts, he was unequivocal in calling for greater innovation, vigilance, and responsibility across the board.

Key decisions reached at the meeting include; “Immediate audits of all correctional facilities to assess vulnerabilities; Activation of proactive measures to bolster high-risk facilities; Commanding officers directed to identify and remove weak links within the custodial chain; Officers tasked to beef up surveillance checks; Commanding officers were reminded of the zero tolerance policy and that officers found guilty of negligence, collusion, or dereliction of duty will face stiff penalties.”

Nwakuche underscored the importance of internal accountability, warning that personnel implicated in security breaches will face serious disciplinary actions.

The statement further stated that the meeting concluded with a call for unity, discipline, and strengthened collaboration among correctional staff, as well as enhanced cooperation with other security agencies and the general public.

Last month, an overnight rainfall led to the escape of seven inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, after the facility’s old perimeter wall collapsed.

The incident in Osun was the latest in a series of prison breaks linked to structural failures in Nigeria’s correctional facilities.

In recent years, similar breaches have occurred, including the collapse of prison walls in Maiduguri and Suleja in 2024, leading to the escape of hundreds of inmates.