The Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) to build the capacity of its personnel to effectively bear and use sophisticated arms to defend custodial centres across the country.
The government gave this directive when the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who was the reviewing officer, was speaking during their passing out parade in Kaduna, the Kaduna State Capital, on Wednesday.
Hoodlums have attacked many custodial centres across Nigeria recently, setting free hundreds of inmates.
“From now on, there should be capacity development such that there will be sufficient officers that can effectively bear and use sophisticated arms in the defence of our custodial centres. Flowing from this, only such officers should be deployed to man the facilities.
“The officers in all the custodial centres should be exemplary in character and conduct. They should shun any practice that will jeopardise the security of the custodial centres and by implication the Nigerian people.
“You are therefore required to be firm and courageous in carrying out your lawful duties. Our facilities are sacred and inviolable. They are a red zone and we shall defend them with the resources at our disposal. Let me remind you all that we are all stakeholders in the quest to restore lasting peace in our country. Every hand must therefore be on deck.,” the Minister was quoted as saying in a statement by his media aide Sola Fasure.
The minister also informed the officer to serve the nation to the best of their ability and ensure inmates are returned to society as better persons.
Aregbesola also paid a visit to the Kaduna Medium Security Custodial Centre, established in 1915, where he charged the contingent of the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Immigration Service and armed guards of the correction service to ensure no one who attempts to bridge the facility lives to tell the story.
“Carry out periodic drills to show your readiness and preparedness to repel any type of attack. You have the authority and backing of Mr President to defend this facility.
“The head of your agencies has been directed to ensure maximum compliance with this directive. Bring down the might of the federal government on any would-be attacker and ensure the facility is not breached,” the minister charged the officers.
