By Ibironke Ariyo
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have called for stronger collaboration to improve inmates’ welfare, enhance intelligence sharing, operational synergy and national security management.
The NCoS Controller-General, Sylvester Nwakuche, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja when he received the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Service’s headquarters.
Nwakuche described both institutions as “twin brothers” within Nigeria’s security architecture.
He said the NPF and NCoS remain inseparable in the criminal justice system, noting that without the police, law and order in the country would collapse.
The Controller General stressed that both agencies have coexisted for over a century and must continue to deepen cooperation in addressing security challenges.
He acknowledged the presence of police personnel in custodial centres nationwide, including Kuje, Suleja, Ikoyi, Ebute Metta, Bauchi and others, describing their deployment as a major sacrifice.
“We have policemen stationed in over 100 custodial centres across the country and that’s the synergy we are talking about. We appreciate your efforts and we see the good work you are doing,” he said.
Nwakuche noted that both agencies were interdependent, explaining that suspects arrested and prosecuted by the police eventually end up in correctional custody.
He raised concern over the issue of overcrowding in custodial centres, disclosing that Nigeria currently has about 80,000 inmates, with over 55,000 awaiting trial.
“The situation is not a creation of the correctional service but a reflection of delays within the wider justice system.
“We are using this medium to call for urgent case reviews to ease congestion in the Custodial centres,” he said.
Nwakuche also called for improved intelligence sharing, noting that custodial centres were key repositories of security information that could support investigations and prosecutions.
He further advocated joint training and capacity-building programmes between both agencies, stressing that collaboration should be built on mutual understanding rather than institutional rivalry.
He highlighted the importance of rehabilitation, noting that convicted inmates could be mandatorily enrolled in skills acquisition programmes aimed at reintegration into society.
The Controller General also lamented the condition of correctional facilities, describing many as aging colonial-era structures requiring urgent rehabilitation and expansion.
He, however, commended the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu for improvements in welfare, salary structure and ongoing efforts to upgrade custodial infrastructure.
Earlier, Disu said his visit was aimed at strengthening institutional relations beyond formality, stressing the need for officers of both agencies to know one another personally and maintain direct communication.
He said the engagement was necessary to improve coordination during emergencies and operational challenges.
The police chief warned that rising security threats, including jailbreak risks and attacks on officers, make stronger collaboration inevitable.
“Intelligence sharing remains critical, as no information should be considered useless in the fight against crime,” he said.
The IGP also called for joint training programmes to enhance operational efficiency and deepen understanding of each agency’s responsibilities within the criminal justice system.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both security chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to a new phase of collaboration anchored on trust, intelligence sharing, joint training and coordinated operations to strengthen internal security in Nigeria.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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