The federal government of Nigeria has commissioned a 160-capacity Medium Security Prison that was under construction for more than 25 years.
The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro who commissioned the prison facility on Thursday in Koton-Karfe, Kogi State said recent events have necessitated its speedy completion. ?
He said it was important decongest prisons and give them the necessary infrastructural facelift required in line with international standards, adding that such efforts will curb incessant attacks on prison facilities.
The old Koton-Karfe prison was attacked on February 15, 2012 and November 2, 2014 and 200 and 144 inmates released respectively.
But the minister said with the commissioning of the 80-bed medium facility, there is now a shift in the prison administration from the archaic to a modernised prisons system.
While acknowledging that Prisons Service was within the exclusive list in Nigeria, Moro challenged Governors to help the federal government improve prison facilities in their respective states.
Speaking earlier, ?the Controller General of Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Peter Ekpendu said the new facility will help the Service discharge its duties effectively.
He assured that his staff will professionally work with other security agencies? to ensure security of the prison.
Ekpendu however, pointed out that the NPS still have some pressing needs which includes; acquisition of court escort duty vehicles, educational and vocational training facilities, staff barracks with complementary infrastructure among others.
