Experts suggest ways to prevent jailbreaks

Some stakeholders in the security sector have called on governments at all levels to consider fashioning out stiffer penalties for jailbreak master- minders in the country.

They made the call while speaking to the newsmen in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

Supreme News recalls that 17 organised attacks have been launched against key custodial facilities of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS ) located in different geo-political zones of the country between 2015 and 2024.

Mr Paul Ayeni, a retired Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) decried the delay in the resolution of the case of three master- minders behind Medium Security Custodial Centre, Minna, Niger jailbreak since 2018.

“Also, the recent escape of 119 inmates of the Medium Security Custodial Centre ( NCoS), Suleja, Niger in April was dramatic,” he said.

According to him, the reasons offered by the NCoS that a downpour and storm broke the custodial parameter fence, which enhanced the inmates, was ‘unacceptable’.

Ayeni, who is also a life coach and the Chairman of EcoSafe Ltd stressed that the inability of governments to execute justice was responsible for the repetitions of the menace.

He pleaded with the necessary authorities to fish out other master-minders of jailbreaks and speed up the justice system against them.

Ayeni recommended death penalties to the colluders, if found guilty.

The Founder, the Useful Youth Vision Concepts (UYVC), an NGO, Mrs Adetokunbo Shonibare – Ayantunji said tackling jailbreaks in the country required joint efforts.

She recommended regular integrity tests and background checks on NCoS staff and implementation of the Whistleblower Policy to report suspicious activities.

“Personnel who colluded with criminals from outside must be dismissed and banned from holding public office,” she said.

She said enhancing law enforcement and collaborations was essential.

Pastor Ikeh Nworah of the Pentecostal Faith Missions (PFM) called for the eradication of corruption in NCoS.

He urged the government to name and shame the corrupt personnel in the segment.

The gospel preacher called for improved funding for NCoS personnel and provision of adequate security features such as CCTV, motion sensors, high walls made up of barbed wire and electric fencing among others.