Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has approved the relocation of 29 correctional centers, commonly referred to as prisons, from urban areas across the country.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this on Friday, February 21, during the unveiling of new operational vehicles for the Nigerian Correctional Service.
In July 2023, Tunji-Ojo had highlighted the Federal Government’s plan to relocate prisons, citing urban encroachment as a major issue. He explained that urban development has significantly reduced the required buffer zones around these facilities, using the Suleja and Ikoyi Correctional Centers as examples.
Regarding the Ikoyi facility, the minister expressed concern over the lack of an adequate buffer zone, as mandated by law, describing its current location as a “security threat.” He noted, “Of course, you can see the magistrate court here, a church there, residential buildings, and a lot of commercial structures around. The government is looking into how we can perhaps relocate some of these correctional centers, with Ikoyi being very key.”
He emphasized the legal requirement of a 100-meter buffer zone, which is nearly nonexistent at the Ikoyi facility, stating, “This is a law-abiding government, and we will explore all avenues to ensure we do what is legally right.”
The minister also pointed to the Suleja Correctional Center as another example, noting its proximity to residential areas, with only 7 meters separating it from the nearest house.
Tunji-Ojo reiterated the administration’s goal of transforming correctional centers into places of education and rehabilitation. However, he acknowledged that achieving this objective would be challenging in their current environments due to the lack of adequate space and security concerns.
