Customs
The Nigerian Correctional Service and the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic collaboration aimed at improving intelligence sharing, bolstering custodial facility security and advancing broader national security objectives.
The agreement was reached at the National Headquarters of the NCoS in Abuja during a courtesy visit by a military delegation led by the Chief of Military Intelligence (Army), Major General R.E. Hedima, to the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche.
A statement released on Tuesday by the NCoS spokesperson, Jane Osuji, said that, while receiving the military delegation, Nwakuche described the visit as a testament to the enduring partnership between both institutions, emphasising that contemporary security challenges necessitate closer inter-agency cooperation.
“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,” Nwakuche was quoted as saying.
Highlighting the scale of the challenge, the Controller-General disclosed that the Service currently oversees an inmate population of roughly 81,000 across the country.
Of this figure, he said approximately 65 per cent were awaiting trial, while over 4,000 inmates were on death row.
He paid tribute to correctional personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty, maintaining that the Service remains resolute in securing facilities and fulfilling its statutory mandate.
Beyond physical security, Nwakuche pointed to sustained investments in inmate reformation, including vocational training, formal education, juvenile programmes and deradicalisation initiatives for violent extremists.
Speaking earlier, Major General Hedima stated that the delegation’s goal was to consolidate ties between NAIC and the NCoS while exploring practical ways to enhance joint operational capacity. Commending correctional officers for working under demanding conditions, he noted that threat actors are continuously changing tactics.
“Our adversaries are constantly evolving. Our response must equally evolve through stronger partnerships, better intelligence coordination and sustained collaboration among security agencies,” Hedima noted.
To address these risks, Hedima advocated joint institutional training for personnel, the designation of specialised intelligence focal officers and the continuous exchange of actionable, time-sensitive intelligence.
In response, Nwakuche welcomed the proposals, expressing confidence that deeper inter-agency synergy would significantly fortify custodial security and enhance Nigeria’s overall security architecture.
