- Rep. Chinedu Ogah urges states to prioritize modern correctional facilities following a recent jailbreak, emphasizing inmate welfare and security
- Ogah stresses the need to align correctional centres with constitutional provisions, advocating for upgrades to prevent vulnerabilities and enhance security
The House of Representatives has called upon the 36 states of Nigeria to prioritize constructing modern correctional facilities to prevent jailbreaks across the country. Rep. Chinedu Ogah, Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, made this plea during the committee’s visit to the Correctional Centre in Suleja to assess the damage caused by a recent jailbreak.
Ogah emphasized the need for adequate inmate provisions, highlighting that the current resources allocated for their welfare are insufficient. He stressed the importance of upgrading correctional centers to align with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which delegates responsibility for correctional services to the concurrent authority of state governments.
The committee’s inspection revealed the correctional centre’s infrastructure was vulnerable, as it succumbed to minimal force from strong winds during rainfall. Ogah expressed concern over the security arrangements at the facility, noting that the supervision of over 400 inmates by only five armed personnel was inadequate and unsustainable.
In light of these findings, the committee urged the president to prioritize recruiting additional personnel for the country’s Correctional Service. Strengthening manpower and infrastructure upgrades is essential to enhancing security and preventing future jailbreak incidents.
The call for modernization and reinforcement of correctional services reflects the commitment of the House of Representatives to ensure the safety and well-being of inmates while upholding the rule of law in Nigeria.