In a milestone effort under the faith-based reformation mandate of the Nigerian Correctional Service, six male inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Koton Karfe, Kogi State, have successfully completed learning the recitation and full memorisation of the Holy Qur’an.
The achievement aligns directly with the provisions of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019, which emphasizes the reformation, rehabilitation, and social reintegration of inmates.
Despite entering the facility with little to no previous experience in Qur’anic studies, the graduating inmates attained complete memorisation through structured religious instruction and personal discipline. In recognition of their dedication, the Nigerian Correctional Service partnered with the Koton Karfe Muslim Community to present financial interventions to each graduand to aid their personal development and smooth transition back into society.
Speaking on the breakthrough, the Controller of Corrections for the Kogi State Command, Hadiza Inna Aminu, lauded the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, for providing the strategic direction needed to sustain educational, vocational, and moral programmes across the country’s custodial facilities. She noted that these initiatives equip inmates with essential values and skills for societal contribution upon release, while calling on host communities and public stakeholders to deepen collaboration with the Service.
In his remarks, the Officer-in-Charge of the facility, Chief Superintendent of Corrections Emmanuel Dangana, praised both the State Command and local religious leaders for supporting comprehensive inmate development. Echoing his sentiments, Ustaz Isah Usman, representing the Council of Ulama, commended the Command for transforming lives through targeted rehabilitation, pledging the Council’s continued support.
The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Superintendent of Corrections Mohammad Zaik, urged the graduands to maintain their moral trajectory and called on all inmates to keep praying for national peace and unity.
The ceremony concluded with the official unveiling of a new book authored by the facility’s Chief Imam, Hafeez Abdullahi Isah, titled Al-Tawakkul: The Basis for Overcoming Challenges. Copies of the Glorious Qur’an and certificates were presented to the graduating inmates, alongside special prayers for the state, the correctional service, and the nation led by the Chief Imam of Koton Karfe Central Masjid.
The Kogi State Command reaffirmed its dedication to public safety and national development by continuing to expand faith-based, moral, and vocational rehabilitation programmes across its facilities.
