By IBIRONKE ARIYO

The Controller General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, has warned that any lapses by personnel would attract severe consequences.

The Controller General said this in an emergency virtual strategy meeting convened on Tuesday in Abuja.

In a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Abubakar Umar, all zonal coordinators attended the meeting.

Also in attendance to address growing security concerns ahead of the festive season and anticipated heavy rains are commandants of Training colleges and schools, as well as state command controllers.

Nwakuche tasked them to focus on proactive strategies to prevent security breaches and ensure the integrity of custodial operations nationwide.

He directed an immediate audit of all correctional facilities to assess potential vulnerabilities, activation of risk mitigation measures at high-risk centres, and reinforcement of surveillance and internal control mechanisms.

?This is not just about concrete walls and iron bars. It?s about trust, duty, and the safety of every Nigerian. The time for complacency is over.?

The controller general also directed them to identify and root out weak links within the custodial chain, and reminded them of the service zero-tolerance policy on negligence, collusion, or dereliction of duty.

?Any officer found complicit in any form of security lapse will face stiff sanctions,? he added.

Nwakuche listened to inputs from officers across the regions, commending constructive suggestions while issuing admonitions where necessary.

He challenged them to embrace innovation and inter-agency collaboration in confronting evolving threats.

He called for renewed unity, vigilance, and professionalism among correctional staff, with emphasis on strengthening coordination with other security agencies and community stakeholders. (NAN)