By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to prevent the spread of violent extremism in custodial centres, that prisons could become breeding grounds for radicalisation if not properly managed.

The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, gave the warning on Monday in Abuja at the opening of a specialised training on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) in custodial facilities.

Laka said the initiative was part of a broader strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s non-kinetic response to insecurity.

He said custodial centres, though meant for rehabilitation, could inadvertently serve as recruitment hubs for extremist groups without proactive measures.

“Global experience has shown that, if not properly managed, such environments can become breeding grounds for radicalisation.

“The training is designed to equip relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies with the tools to detect, prevent and respond to extremist ideologies within correctional facilities,” he said.

Laka noted that the programme aligned with the Federal Government’s whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to tackling violent extremism.

He highlighted key interventions by government, including the deradicalisation programme at the Kuje Custodial Centre and the Operation Safe Corridor, which has rehabilitated over 3,000 former associates of terrorist groups.

He added that 744 clients were recently graduated from the programme, with a new facility established in Zamfara to expand capacity.

In his remarks, the Controller-General, Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, said the agency had moved beyond mere custody to structured rehabilitation of inmates linked to extremism.

Represented by Deputy Controller Jammal Bakare, Nwakuche said managing extremist offenders remained one of the most complex challenges in correctional administration.

He stressed that the training would enhance risk assessment, inmate engagement, and reintegration outcomes across facilities.

“Custodial centres can either disrupt extremist thinking—or unintentionally reinforce it. The difference lies in how prepared we are,” he said.

Also speaking, a Senior Fellow at the Global Centre on Cooperative Security, Ms Saeida Rouass, said the programme was part of a six-month initiative to adapt global CVE curriculum to Nigeria’s context.

She said the organisation had trained over 45,000 correctional personnel globally and remained committed to supporting Nigeria with technical expertise and best practices.

The training, supported by the Canadian Government, brings together correctional officers and other stakeholders to strengthen institutional capacity and inter-agency collaboration in tackling violent extremism.

Participants were urged to translate lessons from the training into practical actions that would improve rehabilitation and prevent radicalisation within custodial centres.

The programme is expected to enhance Nigeria’s resilience against violent extremism and strengthen national security. (NAN)

Update news