The Federal Government says it will facilitate the possible relocation of Ikoyi prison and some of other correctional centres from urban centres in the country.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated this on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday.
“Under this administration, we’ve not had any jail attack; what we’ve had was force majeure which was Suleja because that particular correctional centre was built in 1914. It’s about 110 years old.
“President Tinubu was not President a 110 years old. He inherited 256 correctional centres that needed attention. There is no way he would have completely overhaul it in one year.
“I must talk about urbanisation. Look at Suleja for example, the Suleja correctional centre that came down was only 7 metres away from the next house. Instead of what the law says which is a buffer space of 100 metres. So, urbanisation has eaten deep.
“Look at Ikoyi Correctional Centre sharing a fence with (another house). What’s (a) correctional centre doing in Ikoyi? This administration is looking at being able to initiate the process of possibly relocating some of these correctional centres.”
He further revealed that the Federal Government would commence what he termed as “inmate audit” across all correctional facilities numbering 256 in the country and free those who were not supposed to be there.
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