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The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has expressed deep concern over the alarming number of children held in correctional facilities across Nigeria.
Speaking at an inter-agency stakeholder meeting in Abuja, the minister revealed that over 26,000 children are incarcerated annually, accounting for 30% of the total inmate population.
Violation of Child Protection Laws
A statement by Ozoya Imohimi, Director of Press at the Ministry of Interior, quoted the minister:
“The presence of children in custodial centres is a serious violation of existing child protection laws, which mandate their placement in borstal institutions for proper rehabilitation.”
He assured that breaches of these laws would be investigated, warning that institutions failing to comply will face consequences.
Government’s Plan for Reform
Tunji-Ojo reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to reforming the correctional system, particularly focusing on reducing the number of children in custody.
Key Initiatives Announced:
1. Establishment of a Nigerian Paramilitary Academy to train correctional officers on empathy and rehabilitation.
2. Implementation of non-custodial measures for non-violent offenders
3. Strengthened collaboration between ministries and state governments to address juvenile detention
The minister urged state governments to actively participate in addressing this critical issue, emphasizing the need for urgent criminal justice system reforms to protect vulnerable groups.
