The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to fortifying the nation’s correctional centres against external attacks.

The minister was on an inspection tour of Kuje Correctional Centre on Thursday in Abuja, stating it was the present administration’s resolve to prioritise the fortification to forestall jailbreaks.

Mr Tunji-Ojo expressed delight about the ongoing rehabilitation work at the centre, which he described as a mark of seriousness on the part of any determined and serious government.

“As you can see, the perimeter fencing is completed, as well as the solar fittings on both sides of the fence to illuminate the facility for additional security,” said Mr Tunji-Ojo, who said the same would be replicated in other correctional centres nationwide.

Recalling that the Kuje prison was attacked in 2022, the minister said the current administration prioritised the fortification even though President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime had conceived the idea.

He added, “President Bola Tinubu’s intervention fund has enabled us to achieve this feat so far. As you can see, I am happy to tell you that about nine of our correctional centres are now under rehabilitation.”

Mr Tunji-Ojo expressed optimism that in no distant time, the Kuje Correctional Centre would witness a complete turnaround that would be a model to others.

“This is a pointer to the fact that the President cares about the security of Nigerians, about the inmates and making correctional centres correctional in nature and not condemnation centres,” he added.

Similarly, the minister, who toured the Federal Fire Service (FFS) Academy, promised to build the most sophisticated fire academy in West Africa.

He said this was to enable the service to give the best training to its personnel to meet with the ever-changing dynamics in fire fighting globally.

“By the grace of God, on May 28, we will be having the groundbreaking ceremony here with a completion period of just one year to be delivered.

“We are bringing down lots of projects here, and we are erecting a modern fire academy that can be compared to the best you can get anywhere in the world, “he stressed.

(NAN)