According to the Minister of the Interior, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, President Bola Tinubu has given a marching order that all fugitives from justice across the country should be apprehended.
Between the years 2021 and 2022, there were at least seven attacks on correctional facilities around the country, and as a result, a significant number of detainees managed to flee the facilities.
Prisons at Kuje, Kogi, Jos, Abologo, Owerri, Okitipupa, and Oko were among the seven detention facilities that were subject to an attack.
There are around 4,000 escaped prisoners at this time.
After conducting an assessment of the facilities at the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Correctional Service on Wednesday, Tunji-Ojo addressed the media and stated that the service would make every effort to ensure that the order issued by the president regarding escaping inmates is carried out to the letter.
In addition to that, he stated that the Nigerian Correctional Service would work together with the various security agencies in the country in order to recover them.
According to what Tunji-Ojo had to say, “The president has given us a matching order and it involves recapturing the escaping inmates.” For the sake of achieving this goal, we intend to collaborate with other security authorities. We are going to put in work around the clock in order to get them back from wherever they are. We will take precautions to prevent those who are currently inside from escaping.
Additionally, he emphasized that any attempts at sabotage on the part of jail officials would not be permitted.
Tunji Ojo was quoted as saying, “We would also not allow sabotage such as neglecting our duties, among other things.” Whoever wants to sabotage our efforts will be met with no resistance from us.
Earlier, while at the Nigeria Immigration Service, the minister made a commitment to increase the effectiveness of the service by scrutinizing all of the existing agreements.
He stated that he would form a group that would conduct the review and added that the Service was being prevented from carrying out its mandates as a result of the agreements in question.
“We must renegotiate or terminate any agreements (entered into by NIS) that are preventing our progress as a nation. I will put together a group of people to investigate this.
Tunji-Ojo bemoaned the fact that it takes Nigerians a number of months to obtain a passport, and he emphasized how important it is to shorten the time it takes to get one.
He expressed his regret that it took his daughter a whole year to finally receive her passport after a delay of six months.
“In order to obtain her passport booklet, it took my daughter a total of six months of waiting. When I was head of the House committee on NDDC, I had to deal with these issues; please tell me what the typical Nigerian faces. It’s almost like we’re waiting for an invitation to heaven.
Additionally, he issued a directive that Nigerians applying for international passports must be accorded proper courtesy and consideration, particularly when they are located outside of Nigeria.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that all of the staff at the London passport office must adhere to his directive multiple times.
He stated that obtaining a passport is a right, not a privilege. Respect ought to be shown to people who identify as Nigerian no matter where they are, but especially those who live in other countries. While Nigerians are in the process of applying for travel papers in the London Immigration office, those working there have a responsibility to enhance the quality of the office’s services and to treat them with the utmost respect. Our citizens, no matter where they are, should always be proud of who they are.
