4,082 minor offenders freed to save N1bn annually, decongest prisons – Tunji-Ojo

The federal government has said about 4,082 minor offenders have been released from various custodial centres across the country aimed to save the nation more than N1 billion annually and decongest the facilities.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made this public, Thursday in Abuja, during the annual ministerial press briefing, also said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved an increase in the feeding allowances of inmates.

Tunji-Ojo also said the President has equally approved the relocation of 29 correctional centres that are within residential areas due to urban development.

According to him, a correctional centre should be located 100 metres away from residential buildings.

For instance, the correctional centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, is located opposite the Government House, while Suleja Prison is now within the community.

The Minister said over 3,000 buildings in more than 240 correctional centres are being renovated. Some of these centres were built over 50 years ago, while one of them was constructed in 1914.

“If we know where we were, we will appreciate where we are,” he said.

The minister said that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recorded two jailbreaks and no jail attacks.

He, however, noted that the ministry had put in place a proactive policing system, which made it possible for the inmates in Suleja Prison who escaped after a heavy flood felled their fence to be rearrested within 48 hours.

The Ondo state born politician said in one year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the promotion of 52,000 paramilitary officers, and the ministry has started another promotion examination for 2025.

The minister said the ministry, through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), established a Mining Marshal to sanitise the mining industry, where a lot of revenue is being lost illegally.

Consequently, over 2,125 illegal mining sites have been destroyed, and the NSCDC has trained over 10,000 Agro Rangers for the agriculture sector.

The initiative is a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

On internal security, Tunji-Ojo said the Ministry of Interior has achieved major milestones in bolstering national security with its innovative e-border solutions, aimed at combating smuggling, terrorism, and illegal immigration.

Others include the establishment of a Command-and-Control Centre, deployment of the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) and Passenger Name Record (PNR), installation of e-Gates at international airports, and the deployment of border patrol vehicles.

Tunji-Ojo said that the inauguration of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC) which houses critical facilities such as the NIS Data Center, ECOWAS Biometric Card Production Center, and Visa Application Centre is also part of the ministry’s achievements.

According to him, the ministry has also reviewed the National Border Management Strategy to enhance operational efficiency.

The minister revealed that with Nigeria’s border security architect currently, no criminal can enter Nigeria without being apprehended.

“This is a government that understands security. No wanted persons in the world can enter Nigeria without being apprehended.

“That is why the government came up with peculiar allowances, provided equipment and insurance for officers. Paramilitary officers will tell you that you are better off today than many years back,” the minister said.