According to the Nigerian Correctional Service, there were no jailbreaks or attacks in any of the country’s 253 detention facilities in 2023.
This was revealed by the spokesman, Assistant Controller of Corrections Abubakar Umar, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.
Umar stated that the government had taken extensive efforts to strengthen facility security and effectively counteract any potential threats, whether internal or external.
He stated that in recent years, Nigeria had been afflicted by worrisome incidences of brutal jailbreaks and attacks, and that several tactics had been put in place to forestall the trends across the country.
He recalled that on January 20, management announced that 2023 would be a difficult year for perpetrators of jailbreaks around the country, as enormous people and intelligence collecting technology were deployed to prevent jail attacks.
This, he noted, was both in terms of service infrastructure development for 2023 and security preparations to avoid what happened in 2022.
According to NAN, on July 5, 2022, the Islamic State West Africa Province, a breakaway offshoot of Boko Haram, successfully carried out an attack on a Nigerian heavily fortified detention center in Abuja.
The group managed to infiltrate the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre by overpowering the attentive security guards, resulting in the escape of 879 detainees, more than half of whom were later apprehended.
Umar stated that the lack of jail assaults in Nigeria in 2023 was a result of strong security measures and the focused work of security officers, which comprised numerous stakeholders.
He stated that it represented the dedication to maintaining a safe and secure environment within detention facilities, safeguarding the well-being of both inmates and personnel.
“This achievement should be celebrated as a significant milestone in upholding law and order in the country, “he said.
According to Umar, the fact that there were no jail attacks recorded in Nigeria in 2023 is truly remarkable.
“It speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the top-level security measures that have been diligently upheld in our custodial centers across the nation.
“Ensuring the safety and security of these facilities is of utmost importance, as it does not only protects the inmates but also the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to maintain order and rehabilitation within the system.
“This accomplishment can be attributed to a combination of factors. It reflects the dedication and professionalism of the security personnel who diligently carry out their duties, implementing robust protocols and procedures to prevent any untoward incidents.
“Our commitment to upholding the highest standards of security is commendable and should be recognised, “he said.
Speaking further, Umar said that proper inmate rehabilitation and reintegration had also contributed to the peace enjoyed in all custodial centres in Nigeria.
He said that the care for inmates’ was a very huge task adding that the safety and peace of the custodial centres vis-a-vis were the public safety given to societies in the country.
He said,
“Don’t forget that it is only in the absence of chaos that businesses strive.
“This year, we ensure that these inmates are kept in our custodial centres without any problem, no riot, no agitation, and the inmates are going about their normal businesses and that is what gives the society the safety they require.
“A secure and well-maintained custodial system not only upholds the rule of law but also provides an environment conducive to the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, “he said.
The NCoS spokesman acknowledged that the absence of jail attacks in 2023 also highlighted the importance of collaboration and intelligence sharing among law enforcement agencies.
Umar said that the coordinated efforts of various stakeholders, including the Nigerian Police Force, NCoS authorities, and other security agencies, have also played a pivotal role in maintaining the security of custodial centers.
“Their cooperation and vigilance have undoubtedly contributed to this positive outcome, “he said.
(NAN)