Prison arenas no go area for protesters, FG warns

Prison arenas no go area for protesters, FG warns

The Federal Government has declared all its 256 prison centres across the country “red zones” and no go areas for protesters.

This is coming ahead of the nationwide protest against bad governance expected to commence on August 1.

The government said the sanctity of the prison arenas must not be violated under any guise.

Controller General of Corrections, Hailey Nababa, gave the warning in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

“In view of the purported national protest scheduled to hold on the first day of August 2024, the Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to inform the public that the custodial centres have been designated as red zones. “Therefore, any person or group of persons who have no business whatsoever, should steer clear,” the CGC said in the statement signed on his behalf by Service Spokesman, ACC Abubakar Danlami Umar.

Part of the statement read; “Furthermore, the Service wishes to enjoin the public that Custodial and Non-custodial Centres are critical national assets which are germane to public safety as well as national security.

“Tampering with or attacking them will lead to breakdown of law and order, and further exacerbate the security of the society in general.

“The Service strongly advises all members of the public to join hands with the Service to ensure the protection of correctional facilities. Adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that no correctional facility is defiled.

“The Ministry of Interior Joint Taskforce (MOIJTF) has been activated to provide extra security in and around custodial facilities nationwide.”

The CGC urges members of the public to report any suspicious plan or movement via an email, info@corrections.gov.ng or call 09060004598 or 08075050006.