By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has safely moved more than 3,000 violent extremist offenders for judicial proceedings without recording any security breach.

The spokesperson of the NCoS, CSC Jane Osuji, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, during a briefing by public relations officers of security agencies.

The event was organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Osuji said the operation was part of efforts to strengthen intelligence-led custodial security, inmate reformation and non-custodial measures nationwide.

She said the service had operationalised a new 500-capacity Medium Security Custodial Centre at Olomi, Oyo State.

The NCoS spokesperson said anti-contraband enforcement remained stringent, while inter-agency cooperation was sustained and 27 custodial infrastructure projects were either completed or advanced nationwide.

She added that support from state governments, including donations of operational vehicles and CCTV equipment, further strengthened custodial security.

To address congestion, she said the service diverted 31,234 petty and minor offenders through non-custodial measures, as well as release of 100 inmates through jail delivery in Akwa Ibom, payment of fines for 97 inmates in Kaduna and executive pardons for 73 inmates in Bauchi.

She also highlighted the introduction of a virtual courtroom at the Dutse Medium Security Custodial Centre in Jigawa.

She said that in spite of managing two escape incidents, a controlled cholera outbreak in Kano and disciplinary actions against 13 personnel, overall custodial stability was maintained.

Osuji stressed that there were no coordinated prison breaks nationwide during the period under review.

On inmate reformation, she said thousands of inmates participated in educational programmes, including adult literacy and secondary school examinations.

She added that about 900 inmates were enrolled with the National Open University of Nigeria, with some attaining master’s degrees.

According to her, hundreds of others also obtained trade test certificates in 11 vocational trades.

The spokesperson said that healthcare delivery was strengthened through the distribution of essential medicines for specialised, chronic and mental health conditions.

She further disclosed that it hosted the 2026 African Correctional Services Association Conference in Abuja, with participants from 11 African countries.

According to her, the conference was organised in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to promote modern inmate classification systems and prison technology.

“The initiatives reflects our commitment to secure custody, rehabilitation, reintegration and the effective administration of non-custodial measures.” (NAN)