The Nigerian Correctional Service revealed that it recorded zero jailbreaks and attacks in all 253 custodial centres across the country in 2023.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the spokesman, Abubakar Umar, Assistant Controller of NCoS, disclosed this during a chat with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Umar explained that the government had taken in depth action to enhance the security of the facilities and effectively counteract any potential threats, whether originating from internal or external sources.
He noted that Nigeria had been haunted by alarming occurrences of vicious jailbreaks and attacks in previous years adding that a lot of strategies were put in place to avert the trends across the nation.
He cited that the management had announced on 20 January that 2023 would be a tough year for perpetrators of jailbreaks across the country as massive personnel and technology for intelligence gathering were deployed to forestall jail attacks.
He said this was both in terms of infrastructural development in the service for the year 2023 and security strategies to prevent what happened in the year 2022.
NAN reported that an incident occurred on 5 July involving the Islamic State West Africa Province a breakaway faction of Boko Haram in which they successfully carried out an attack on a Nigerian highly fortified custodial centre in Abuja.
Overpowering the vigilant security personnel, the group managed to infiltrate the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, resulting in a significant escape of 879 inmates of which more than half of them were later apprehended.
Umar stated that the absence of jail attacks in Nigeria in 2023 was an indication of the robust security measures and the committed efforts of the security personnel which included various stakeholders.
He explained that it reflected the commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment within custodial centres, ensuring the well-being of inmates and staff alike.
“This achievement should be celebrated as a significant milestone in upholding law and order in the country,” he said.
Umar said 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 centres 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.
Umar added 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 huge task adding that the safety and peace of the custodial centres were important.
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 identified that the absence of jail attacks in 2023 also emphasized the importance of collaboration and intelligence sharing among law enforcement agencies.
Mr 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 centres.
“Their cooperation and vigilance have undoubtedly contributed to this positive outcome,” he said.
