Nasarawa Governor, Abdullahi Sule
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on Wednesday expressed dismay at the significant number of inmates awaiting trial at the Keffi Medium Security Correctional Centre.
His comments came during a visit to the facility in Keffi Local Government Area, following the reported escape of 16 inmates the previous day.
Accompanied by senior government officials, the governor was guided through the facility by Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) personnel, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The NCoS, through its Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, confirmed on Tuesday that seven of the escaped inmates had been recaptured, with efforts ongoing to apprehend the remaining nine.
During his visit to assess the aftermath of the jailbreak, Governor Sule engaged with NCoS staff and inmates. Speaking to journalists after touring the facility, he highlighted the issue of overcrowding, noting that many inmates were awaiting trial in courts located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), contributing to the congestion.
To address this, Sule pledged to collaborate with relevant authorities to expedite the trial processes for these inmates, aiming to alleviate overcrowding. He urged inmates to maintain good conduct and adhere to the law.
Observing that many inmates were sleeping on the floor, the governor directed the provision of 500 mattresses to improve their living conditions. He also announced a donation of one million naira to support the inmates’ welfare.
Sule emphasized that his visit was not only to investigate the jailbreak but also to understand its root causes.
“I wanted to ascertain whether the incident was due to poor welfare or the condition of the facility,” he said.
He noted that most inmates were awaiting trial in FCT courts, not in Nasarawa State.
To decongest the facility, the governor announced plans to work with FCT authorities, including engaging the FCT Chief Judge and the Attorney General of the Federation. He stressed the importance of addressing inmates’ grievances to reduce the likelihood of future jailbreaks, while acknowledging the need for enhanced security measures.
Sule praised the NCoS and other security agencies for their efforts in recapturing some of the escapees and called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals to the authorities. (NAN)
