Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has said Nigeria’s digitalised biometric system is helping security agencies swiftly track and recapture escaped inmates from correctional centres.
Gatekeepers News reports that the minister made the revelation while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday.
Tunji-Ojo dismissed claims that there have been up to seven jailbreaks since 2023, insisting the actual number is lower.
He noted that many custodial centres are over a century old, with 12 of the country’s 246 facilities currently undergoing rehabilitation.
The minister said, “The simple truth is that from 2015 to 2023, these incidents were not under this government. I can tell you that jailbreaks are not as bad under this particular administration.”
Tunji-Ojo cited specific incidents, including a fence collapse at Suleja prison in Niger State and flooding in Maiduguri caused by a dam disaster, both of which led to inmate escapes. He stressed that the priority is not just preventing escapes but ensuring quick recapture when they occur.
On the recent jailbreak in Nasarawa involving 16 inmates, Tunji-Ojo said seven had been rearrested, thanks to the upgraded biometric database linked to all security agencies.
The minister also highlighted improvements in prison medical facilities under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, including the hiring of 50 doctors, 100 nurses, and the deployment of NYSC doctors.
He explained that with correctional centre management now on the concurrent legislative list, both federal and state governments can run facilities. About 72% of inmates are state offenders, with 67% awaiting trial, yet the federal government bears most of their upkeep costs.
Tunji-Ojo added “We do not make excuses. The president always says we were elected to produce results, not to shift blame.”
“As a government, we will continue to interface with state governors to develop a shared strategy to solve the correctional system’s problems.”
“I want to put it on record that this administration has done a lot in the last two years in terms of providing resources and making sure our facilities and systems are better secured.”
