In anticipation of the upcoming nationwide protests, the federal government has designated all 256 correctional facilities across the country as “red zones”, effectively putting them on high alert.
Haliru Nababa, Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), issued a statement on Tuesday warning individuals and groups without authorized business to stay away from the prisons.
He emphasized that any attacks on the correctional centers could lead to a breakdown in law and order, potentially worsening the country’s security situation.
“In view of the purported national protest scheduled to be held on August 1, the service wishes to inform the public that the Custodial Centres have been designated as red zones,” the statement reads.
“Furthermore, the service wishes to enjoin the public that custodial and non-custodial centres are critical national assets which are germane to public safety as well as national security.”
Nababa added that adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that no correctional facility is attacked.
He enjoined the public to align with the service to protect correctional facilities.
He added that the ministry of interior joint taskforce (MOIJTF) has been activated to provide extra security in and around custodial facilities.
