In response to the planned nationwide protests against bad governance set to begin on August 1, the Federal Government of Nigeria has declared all 256 custodial centres across the country as “red zones.”
The warning was issued by the Controller General of Corrections, Hailey Nababa, in a statement released Tuesday in Abuja.
“In view of the purported national protest scheduled to hold on the first day of August 2024, the Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to inform the public that the Custodial Centres have been designated as red zones; therefore, any person or group of persons who have no business whatsoever, should steer clear,” the CGC stated in the statement, which was signed on his behalf by Service Spokesman, ACC Abubakar Danlami Umar.
The statement emphasized the critical role of custodial and non-custodial centres in public safety and national security. “Tampering with or attacking them will lead to a breakdown of law and order, and further exacerbate the security of the society in general,” it read.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) urged the public to assist in safeguarding these facilities, noting that adequate security measures have been implemented. “The Ministry of Interior Joint Taskforce (MOIJTF) has been activated to provide extra security in and around custodial facilities nationwide,” the statement added.
CGC Nababa expressed gratitude for the public’s ongoing cooperation in maintaining peace around correctional centres. He encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities to the NCoS through their email, website, or direct phone lines.
The announcement comes as the nation braces for widespread protests, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the sanctity of correctional facilities during this period of heightened tension.
