Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has urged all levels of government to collaborate in relocating custodial centres overtaken by urbanisation.

Mr Tunji-Ojo made the call during a stakeholders’ engagement on the report by the Independent Panel on Alleged Corruption and Violations against the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said partnerships with state governments were essential to relocate old custodial centres situated too close to residents.

“Urbanisation has overtaken several correctional centres. Many of these facilities need to be relocated. For example, the Enugu centre is near GRA, and the Akwa Ibom centre is opposite the government house.

“The Ibadan centre is in a market area, while Ikoyi Polo Club shares a fence with one of the centres,” he said.

According to the minister, prompt and decisive action is needed, as the federal government cannot act alone without support from states, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.

He cited the medium security custodial centre in Suleja, Niger State, built in 1914, and the Ikoyi Custodial Centre, built in 1955, as examples.

Mr Tunji-Ojo further disclosed that 90 per cent of inmates were state offenders, not federal.

He added that the federal government would continue efforts to ensure that custodial centres served rehabilitation, reform, reintegration, and correctional purposes.

The minister also said that non-custodial measures were being implemented to decongest custodial centres across Nigeria.

(NAN)