The Federal Government has announced plans to reduce the number of custodial centres across Nigeria, stating that the existing 256 facilities are excessive and inefficient.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during a public hearing on alleged corruption and abuses within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
According to him, while some facilities are overcrowded, many operate at only 30-40 percent capacity, making them underutilized. To address this imbalance, the government intends to redistribute inmates convicted of federal offenses to less congested centres for improved management.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the high number of custodial facilities creates supervision challenges, increasing the risk of abuse. He also called for psychological evaluations for correctional officers, stressing that humane treatment of inmates is a key measure of governance effectiveness.
Furthermore, the minister issued a stern warning against inhumane treatment of inmates, stating that such practices will not be tolerated in 2025.
