Federal Government Orders Urgent Evacuation Of Abeokuta Prison Amid Sh*cking Sanitary Crisis

The Federal Government has ordered the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to evacuate inmates from its Abeokuta facility within four weeks due to what it described as appalling sanitary conditions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The directive was given by Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, during the third public hearing of the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and Other Violations Against the NCoS in Abuja on Monday.

“We cannot show the pictures of what we witnessed there — it was horrendous. Immediate action is necessary,” Ajani emphasized, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.

She also instructed the NCoS to provide a detailed status report on all juvenile custodial centers nationwide within two weeks.

Expressing concern about the unlawful detention of minors alongside adults, she stated, “During visits to custodial centers in about 28 states, we confirmed that minors must not be held with adults. The ministry requires a report on the status of all borstal centers—whether completed or requisitioned. We must take this seriously.”

Ilorin Facility Under Scrutiny
The panel chairperson drew attention to irregularities at the Ilorin custodial facility, which functions as a borstal or halfway home but reportedly houses inmates aged between 30 and 43 years. “Whether it’s a borstal or halfway home, its purpose must be clear.

Having 30 to 43-year-olds in such a facility is unacceptable, and suspicious activities are occurring,” she declared, ordering the immediate removal of all inappropriate adult inmates.

Panel Secretary Uju Agomoh outlined the panel’s mandate, which includes investigating corruption, torture, cruel and degrading treatment of inmates, and systemic failures within correctional institutions. “Our goal is to produce a report that will transform the Nigerian Correctional Service into the institution we aspire it to be,” Agomoh assured.

This follows the September 2024 suspension of several officers at Lagos’ Kirikiri Maximum and Minimum Custodial Centres by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, due to alleged misconduct involving special treatment of cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky. The minister then established the investigative panel to examine broad concerns within the NCoS, including administrative failings and inmate welfare.