Kehinde Fajobi
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) have intensified efforts to prevent external attacks on custodial centres and avert jailbreaks across the country.
Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, announced the deployment of additional personnel to custodial centres after a meeting with Acting Comptroller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja.
The Corps’ spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.
Audi highlighted the evolving security threats in Nigeria, describing them as asymmetric, and stressed the importance of collaboration between agencies to safeguard custodial facilities.
Referring to the tragic midnight attack on the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja, he recalled the sacrifice of an NSCDC officer who lost his life during the assault.
He stated, “Dr Audi said all State Commandants of the Corps have been directed to collaborate with NCoS by complementing the security apparatus in all custodial facilities across the federation, adding that his doors are widely open in times of need.”
Nwakuche expressed appreciation for the NSCDC’s contributions to securing custodial centres, noting that their support had boosted morale within the service.
Speaking on the Kuje incident, Nwakuche said, “We regret the loss of personnel at the Kuje Custodial Centre, but their sacrifices will not be in vain.”
Nwakuche, appointed Acting Comptroller-General of Corrections by President Bola Tinubu on December 15, 2024, stated that his visit to the NSCDC was part of aligning NCoS programmes with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He emphasised the need for sustained collaboration with sister security agencies to address the complex challenges of managing custodial centres effectively.