The Federal Government has announced plans to reduce the number of custodial centres in Nigeria, stating that the current 256 facilities are unnecessary.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a public hearing on alleged corruption and abuses within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
He noted that many facilities operate at only 30-40 percent capacity, while others are overcrowded.
The minister said the government plans to redistribute inmates convicted of federal offenses to less congested facilities for better management.
He emphasized that excessive custodial centres increase supervision challenges, leading to potential abuse.
The minister also called for psychological evaluations for correctional officers, highlighting that humane treatment of inmates is a key measure of governance effectiveness.
Tunji-Ojo also warned against inhumane treatment of inmates, stressing that such practices will not be tolerated in 2025.
