The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has restated the federal government’s commitment to implementing reforms that will overhaul the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The minister, who spoke on Sunday during the presentation of the report on the “National Assessment of the Situation of Children and Young Adults Deprived of Liberty,” said the Nigeria Correctional Service Act of 2019 mandates a focus on reforming, rehabilitating, and reintegrating juvenile offenders into society.
In a statement issued by Ozoya Imohimi, the ministry’s spokesperson, Tunji-Ojo expressed concern over the number of correctional centres in relation to the inmate population across the country.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ozoya Imohimi, the minister expressed concern over the number of correctional centres in relation to the inmate population across the country.
The statement read, “I’m passionate about giving inmates, especially children and young adults, a second chance because I believe that a minor’s mistake should not define their future.
“We need to ask ourselves certain questions—do we really need 256 correctional centres in Nigeria?.
“With a population of around 200 million and only 84,000 inmates, why do we have so many centres? How many armed correctional officers do we have to secure them all?”
On the case of Bobrisky, a popular crossdresser (Idris Okuneye), the minister said, “Things would no longer continue as they had. We are firm in our resolve. By next week, the committee’s report will be ready. My focus is not on Bobrisky, but on the officers. If any officer is found culpable, they will face the consequences.”
The minister noted that simply renaming prisons as correctional centres was not enough, adding the government is keen on transforming NCoS into an institution focused on rehabilitation, reformation, and redemption.
Tunji-Ojo added, “The correctional service cannot continue to tarnish the image of the Nigerian government. We will not allow the actions of a few to damage the institution’s reputation.”
The minister expressed appreciation for the contributors to the report, assuring that the government would consider all the issues raised and pursue sustainable solutions.
He also said that the ministry would continue to support the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in addressing juvenile justice matters.
