The Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) Controller-General, Dr. Peter Ekpendu, says the service is planning to build new prisons and renovate the old ones as part of effort by the current administration to decongest prisons across the country.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Zaria Prison which was renovated by the Kaduna State government, the Controller-General stressed the importance of decongesting detention centres across the country and giving them the necessary infrastructural face-lift required in line with international standards.
He disclosed this in the presence of a representative of the Kaduna State Governor, Amina Sijuade, the Controller of Prisons in the state, Abubakar Garba as well as the state’s Commissioner of Police, Umar Shehu,
Some aggrieved inmates of the prison had on May 28, set part of the detention facility ablaze during a riot, while two inmates escaped.
During an inspection tour to assess the level of damage at the prison, Governor Nasir El-Rufai had released the sum of 24 Million naira for the renovation of the damaged facility.
Acknowledging that Prisons Service was within the exclusive list in Nigeria, Ekpendu challenged state governors in the country to help the Federal Government improve prison facilities in their respective states.
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