The National Civil Society Forum on Detention and Corrections has called for tight security measures and modernisation of all correctional facilities to address jailbreaks nationwide.

The coalition of more than 65 CSOs also said there was an urgent need to examine the root causes of jailbreaks and other related issues bedevilling the country’s custodial facilities.

The forum’s convener, Uju Agomoh, made the call while addressing a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

No fewer than 119 inmates escaped from the Suleja Medium Security Centre in Niger State following a rainstorm that damaged the facility on Wednesday.

Ms Agomoh said the facilities in the correctional system were outdated and vulnerable to damage, as evidenced by the recent incident in Suleja custodial centre, Niger.

She said urgent action was needed to replace ageing infrastructure with modern facilities equipped with advanced security measures and technology.

According to her, it has become abundantly clear that Nigeria’s correctional facilities are facing a crisis of monumental proportions and that the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) Act 2019 must be effectively implemented urgently.

“The destruction of infrastructure and subsequent escape of inmates underscore the urgent need for enhanced security measures and

modernisation of our correctional system.

“We strongly recommend the immediate deployment and utilisation of advanced monitoring devices as stipulated in section 28 of the NCoS Act 2019.

“This includes observatory towers, close circuit television, body scanners, and electrically activated alarm systems.

“These measures are essential for protecting, controlling, and safeguarding correctional activities, thereby preventing future escapes and enhancing overall security, she said.

Ms Agomoh, also the executive director of Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), said the forum recommended the establishment and maintenance of fully equipped armed squads.

She said this included intelligence and investigation units, as mandated by the act, which were crucial for enhancing security, surveillance, monitoring, and intelligence gathering within correctional facilities.

No fewer than eight prison outbreaks were recorded in Nigeria between 2021-2022, with over 4,000 escapee inmates still at large.

Five prison breaks occurred in 2021, while three occurred in 2022 across the nation.

Eighteen cases of jailbreak occurred between 2015 to 2022 in Nigeria.

(NAN)