By Palma Ileye
Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps (NAIC) have agreed to deepen intelligence sharing and joint security operations to strengthen the protection of custodial facilities across the country.
The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, disclosed this when the Chief of Military Intelligence (Army), Major General RE Hedima, led a delegation of the NAIC on a courtesy visit to the NCoS National Headquarters in Abuja.
Nwakuche said the increasing complexity of security threats made closer inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-led responses necessary.
He described the visit as a demonstration of the enduring partnership between the two security institutions, stressing that security remained a shared national responsibility.
“Security is a shared national responsibility. The challenges confronting custodial centres have become increasingly complex, making stronger collaboration, timely intelligence sharing and coordinated action among security agencies more imperative than ever,” he said.
The NCoS boss disclosed that the Service currently manages an inmate population of about 81,000, with approximately 65 per cent awaiting trial and more than 4,000 inmates on death row.
He said the figures underscored the enormous responsibility placed on correctional personnel in safeguarding custodial facilities and maintaining security across the country.
Nwakuche also paid tribute to correctional officers who had lost their lives defending custodial centres against attacks and containing security breaches.
He assured that the Service would remain committed to protecting lives, securing correctional facilities and fulfilling its statutory mandate.
Beyond custodial security, the Controller-General said the NCoS was investing in the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates through education, vocational skills acquisition and deradicalisation programmes for violent extremists.
He also highlighted specialised programmes for juveniles in Borstal Training Institutions, describing inmate rehabilitation as an important component of national security.
Earlier, Major General Hedima said the visit was aimed at consolidating the longstanding relationship between the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps and the NCoS, while identifying practical ways to strengthen security cooperation.
Hedima commended the Correctional Service for its role in securing custodial centres and reforming offenders, acknowledging the dedication of correctional officers working under increasingly difficult security conditions.
He said the changing nature of security threats required continuous adaptation of the custodial security architecture.
The Chief of Military Intelligence advocated joint training programmes for personnel of both agencies, the designation of intelligence focal officers and prompt exchange of actionable and time-sensitive intelligence.
“Our adversaries are constantly evolving. Our response must equally evolve through stronger partnerships, better intelligence coordination and sustained collaboration among security agencies,” he said.
Responding, Nwakuche welcomed the proposals, expressing optimism that stronger cooperation between the NCoS and the NAIC would improve intelligence coordination, enhance custodial security and contribute to Nigeria’s broader security architecture.
The meeting ended with an exchange of souvenirs and a reaffirmation by both institutions of their commitment to strengthening collaboration in the interest of national peace, public safety and the protection of Nigeria’s correctional system.
