Planned Protest: Custodial Centres Are Red Zone, Stay Clear, NCoS Warns

By Bukar BOLORI

Ahead of the planned protest against “bad governance”, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has declared custodial facilities (prisons) across the nation a red zones that no protesters should get to their perimeters.

Nigerian Correctional Service in a statement on Tuesday signed by its Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar said: “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.

Umar added that: “Furthermore, the Service wishes to enjoin the public that Custodial and Non-custodial Centres are critical national assets which are germane to public safety as well as national security. Tampering with or attacking them will lead to breakdown of law and order, and further exacerbate the security of the society in general.

“The Service strongly advises all members of the public to join hands with the Service to ensure the protection of correctional facilities. Adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that no correctional facility is defiled.

“The Ministry of Interior Joint Taskforce (MOIJTF) has been activated to provide extra security in and around custodial facilities nationwide.

“The Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa FICMC, MFR, mni, appreciates the continuous cooperation of members of the public in ensuring peace and tranquility in and around correctional centres nationwide.

“The public is also advised to report any suspicious plan or movement to our email: info@corrections.gov.ng or to our official website: www.corrections.gov.ng or call 09060004598 or 08075050006 directly.”