Tinubu gives order to recapture of fleeing inmates- Interior minister

According to the Minister of the Interior, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, President Bola Tinubu has issued a marching order that all evading inmates across the country should be recaptured. This information was provided by the minister.

There were at least seven attacks on correctional facilities around the country during the years 2021 and 2022, during which a significant number of detainees managed to flee from the facilities.

Prisons at Kuje, Kogi, Jos, Abologo, Owerri, Okitipupa, and Oko were among the seven detention facilities that came under attack.

To this day, there are approximately 4,000 escaped prisoners remaining at large.

Wednesday, after an assessment of the facilities at the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Correctional Service, Tunji-Ojo addressed journalists and stated that the service will make every effort to guarantee that the directive made by the president regarding escaping inmates is carried out to the letter.

He also stated that the Nigerian Correctional Service would engage with the other security agencies in the country to collaborate on the apprehension of those responsible.

“The president has given us a corresponding order, and it involves recapturing the fleeing detainees,” Tunji-Ojo said. In order to accomplish this goal, we will collaborate with other security agencies. We are going to labor nonstop to retrieve them from wherever they are and will do so around the clock. We will make sure that those who are currently inside do not escape.

He further stated that any acts of sabotage carried out by jail officials would not be permitted.

Tunji Ojo is quoted as saying, “We will also not accept sabotage such as neglecting our duties, among other examples.” We are prepared to dismiss anyone who attempts to undermine our efforts.

Earlier, while speaking at the Nigeria Immigration Service, the minister promised to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all previously established agreements in order to enhance the effectiveness of the service.

He stated that he would assemble a group of people who would do the study and went on to say that the agreements were preventing the Service from carrying out its mandates.

“We must terminate any agreements (entered into by NIS) that prevent us from moving forward as a nation. I will assemble a group to investigate this further.

Tunji-Ojo bemoaned the fact that it takes Nigerians months to obtain the document and emphasized how important it is to shorten the amount of time it takes to obtain an international passport.

He expressed his displeasure at the fact that it took his daughter a whole year to finally receive her passport.

“It took my kid a total of six months to finally receive the booklet for her passport. I was the head of the House committee on NDDC, so I had to deal with this; tell me what challenges the typical Nigerian will face. It’s almost as if we’re waiting for our boarding passes to heaven.

Additionally, he issued a directive that Nigerians applying for international passports must be treated with dignity, particularly those Nigerians who are located in places outside of Nigeria.

Tunji-Ojo emphasized that all of the employees at the London passport office are required to comply with his directive.

He stated that having a passport is not a privilege but rather a right. Respect needs to be shown to Nigerians no matter where they are, but especially to those who live beyond the borders of their own nation. While Nigerians are seeking travel documents in the London Immigration office, those working there need to enhance the quality of their services and treat them with the utmost respect. Our citizens, no matter where they may be, are required to take pride in who they are.