By Ahmed Rahma
Six new modern custodial facilities are to be established by the federal government in all the geo-political zones of the country.
This is part of the efforts of the federal government to transform the correctional services to enhance operations and mould inmates to useful members of the society after serving their terms.
The Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, while inspecting the ongoing Model Maximum Security Custodial facility project in Janguza, Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, said the government was determined to reform the correctional service in Nigeria.
According to him, the establishment of the modern custodial facilities is part of programmes initiated by President Muhammdu Buhari.
“We are actualising our commitment to reform Correctional Service that we have in Nigeria.
“What we have here is a model of what we expect to have nationwide and here is a 3,000 custodial facility, and we plan to have it in each of the six geo-political zones.
“This is more advanced in terms of space and other facilities. It is designed for inmates awaiting trial, petty, medium and maximum security facility.
“I am highly impressed by the pace and quality of work,” the Minister said.
Speaking earlier, the Controller-General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr Ahmad Jafaru, said that the project was designed with dormitories, school, hospital, skills acquisition centre and a mosque among others.
He expressed confidence that when completed, the facilities will give a facelift to the agency.
