The Federal Government is set to move 29 correctional centers out of urban areas, a plan unveiled by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. This decision aims to reduce the security risks these prisons pose due to their proximity to densely populated areas.
Tunji-Ojo named some of the prisons on the relocation list, including those in Ikoyi, Apapa, Agodi, Enugu, and Suleja. He explained that a recent audit of the country’s 256 correctional facilities stated the urgent need for this move.
Speaking on ‘The Big Interview’ with O’tega ‘The Tiger’ Ogra, Tunji-Ojo expressed his concerns about the Ikoyi correctional center in Lagos. He warned that an attack on this facility could severely damage Nigeria’s reputation and worsen local security problems.
“Our long term plan is the relocation of about 29 of our correctional centres that have been caught up with urbanisation,” said Tunji-Ojo. “Urbanisation is a major issue; either we like it or not, if what we are about to achieve is to move Ikoyi, Apapa, Agodi, Enugu, couple with some others away from urban centres, but even if it is one that we achieve, we will would have done well.”
He questioned the logic of having a prison near a polo club in Ikoyi and stressed the potential consequences of a prison break in such a location. “What is Ikoyi (prison) doing by sharing a fence with a polo club? What is a correctional centre doing in Ikoyi? God forbid, if there is a prison break in Ikoyi or a prison attack in Ikoyi, do you know the kind of damage that you will make on our reputation as a country, even the social fabrics and everything?”
Tunji-Ojo also pointed out that international standards and the Correctional Service Act require a buffer zone of at least 100 meters between correctional centers and other buildings. This move is part of the government’s effort to improve national security and public safety.
