The Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has declared that anybody or group of persons who attempt to breach correctional facility anywhere in the Country would be severely delt with.
Aregbesola who made the declaration in Ibadan on Monday said anybody caught in the act of jail break might not live to tell the story.
He gave a shoot on sight order at anybody or group of individuals who attempt to breach correctional facility in any part of the Country.
The Minister while addressing custodial officers at Nigerian Correctional Service, Agodi Custodial Centre, Ibadan, said “the most important thing is the effective security and impregnability of this facility. This is a red zone.”
“Whoever attempt for any reason to breach this facility is already dead. He is on a suicide mission. He must not live to tell the story. Any effort to breach our facility is not acceptable. Don’t shoot to disable or injure, shoot to kill.
“Correctional Service is an institution at the tail end of the criminal administration of justice in the implementation of court judgement delivered. You as custodial officers must ensure the implementation of this judgement and ensure reformation of convicts.
“This is the totality of the embodiment of a state to guarantee peace and security of the people. The Federal Government would do more on your welfare and make you happy so that your service would be worthwhile.
“As officers, you must be effective and efficient in preventing the penetration of correctional centres. You must have the capacity to repel viciously any attempt to break into custodial facility.
“I must commend you for your work in preventing any COVID-19 in your facility. In your facility, you have not recorded a single case of the pandemic. If laurels are to be given, your custodial centre would be usually rewarded, “Aregbesola remarked.
The minister, who later entered the premises of Agodi Custodial Centre said visible efforts were being made to decongest correctional facilities in the country.
He directed the management of Agodi Custodial Centre to compile list of inmates, who are in the facility over inability to pay court fines.
He explained that their names after compilation would be sent to wealthy Nigerians, who can pay off their fines so that they can be freed with a view to decongest correctional facilities in the country.