With the Sallah celebrations approaching and heavy rains setting in, the Federal Government has ordered an immediate security assessment of all correctional centres across the country to prevent possible threats and take quick action where needed.
The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, made this known during an emergency virtual meeting with senior officials, including Zonal Coordinators, Training College Commandants, and State Controllers.
The meeting, held to prepare for the festivities and worsening weather, focused on strengthening the security of correctional facilities nationwide.
According to the spokesman for the Service, DCC Abubakar Umar, the aim of the meeting was to take proactive steps to prevent any breaches, especially given the impact of the heavy rains.
Addressing the officers, the Controller General issued a strict warning, saying they must secure the facilities or be held accountable.
“This is not just about concrete walls and iron bars it’s about trust, duty, and the safety of every Nigerian. The time for complacency is over,” he said.
During the meeting, the CGC listened to feedback, praised good efforts, gave stern advice where needed, and encouraged officers to come up with new ideas for improvement.
Some of the key decisions made include an immediate audit of all correctional centres to identify weak spots, increased security measures at high-risk facilities, and the removal of any weak links in the custodial chain.
Officers were also told to step up surveillance and reminded that there is zero tolerance for negligence.
Anyone found guilty of carelessness, collusion, or failure to carry out their duties will face serious consequences.
The Controller General made it clear that internal accountability will be enforced, and any staff member responsible for a security lapse will be dealt with swiftly.
The meeting ended with a strong call for unity, discipline, and alertness among all staff, and a renewed commitment to working closely with other security agencies and the public.
