President Bola Tinubu has approved the relocation of 29 correctional centres from urban areas across Nigeria to address security concerns and improve prison management.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the decision on Friday during the unveiling of new operational vehicles for the Nigerian Correctional Service. He explained that urbanization has encroached upon these facilities, reducing the legally required buffer zones and increasing security risks.

Among the affected facilities are the Ikoyi, Apapa, Agodi, Enugu, and Suleja correctional centres. Tunji-Ojo highlighted the urgency of the move, citing how the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, for instance, shares a fence with a polo club, posing potential security threats.

The relocation is part of the government’s broader efforts to reform the correctional system and ensure the safety of both inmates and the general public.