According to Tunji-Ojo, the ministry is already working behind the scene to fashion out a correctional system that would work for all.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has paid a visit to Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre where 119 inmates escaped following a rainstorm that damaged the facility on Wednesday.
Speaking during the visit on Thursday, the minister said the government would relocate several correctional centres to create better space, security and better infrastructure.
According to a statement issued in Abuja by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Ozoya Imohimi, Tunji-Ojo said it was imperative to relocate a lot of the correctional centres to conducive environment.
“This facility was built in 1914 to house 250 inmates, before this incident, we had 499.
“This is a testimony of what we keep talking about, overcrowding of our correctional centres.
“You can look at the environment, it shows that we need to relocate them away from city centres to create better space, better security and better infrastructure,” he added.
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According to Tunji-Ojo, the ministry is already working behind the scene to fashion out a correctional system that would work for all.
The minister assured that such incident would not happen again in any other correctional facility across the country.
“This could have been avoided if the right information was disseminated at the appropriate time on the structure.
“I was not appointed to make excuses, I was appointed to take responsibility and we are not shying away from taking responsibility.
“We will get them back and we will ensure this doesn’t happen again anywhere in the country,” he said.