NCoS, Army Deepen Partnership on Prison Security, Intelligence Sharing
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps have resolved to deepen strategic cooperation on intelligence sharing, custodial security and broader national security operations.
The commitment was made on Tuesday in Abuja when a delegation from the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps, led by the Chief of Military Intelligence (Army), Major General R.E. Hedima, paid a courtesy visit to the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, at the NCoS National Headquarters.
According to a statement by the NCoS spokesperson, Jane Osuji, Nwakuche described the visit as a demonstration of the longstanding partnership between the two institutions, stressing that the evolving nature of security threats required stronger inter-agency collaboration.
“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 said.
The Controller-General disclosed that the NCoS currently has about 81,000 inmates in custodial facilities across the country.
He said approximately 65 per cent of the inmates were awaiting trial, while more than 4,000 were on death row.
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Nwakuche paid tribute to correctional officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty, assuring that the Service remained committed to securing custodial facilities and fulfilling its statutory responsibilities.
He also highlighted the Service’s efforts beyond physical security, noting that investments were being sustained in inmate reformation and rehabilitation through vocational training, formal education, juvenile programmes and deradicalisation initiatives targeting violent extremists.
Earlier, Hedima said the delegation was at the NCoS headquarters to strengthen institutional ties between the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps and the Correctional Service and identify practical measures for improving joint operational capabilities.
He commended correctional personnel for their dedication under challenging conditions, noting that criminal and terrorist actors were constantly adapting their methods.
“Our adversaries are constantly evolving. Our response must equally evolve through stronger partnerships, better intelligence coordination and sustained collaboration among security agencies,” Hedima said.
To strengthen the partnership, the Army intelligence chief proposed joint training programmes for personnel of both institutions, the designation of specialised intelligence focal officers and continuous exchange of actionable and time-sensitive intelligence.
Nwakuche welcomed the proposals, expressing confidence that enhanced inter-agency cooperation would strengthen the security of custodial facilities and contribute to Nigeria’s broader national security architecture.
By PRNigeria
