The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Kogi State has asked a federal development agency to help improve security at the state’s custodial centres by providing solar-powered lighting.
Controller of Corrections, CC Hadiza Inna Aminu made the request last week during a courtesy visit to the Kogi State coordinator of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) in Lokoja, the state capital.
Aminu said the state has six custodial centres, located in Koton Karfe, Kabba, Okene, Idah, Ankpa and Dekina. She identified poor lighting as a major security challenge and said solar-powered lights would illuminate the facilities at night and strengthen their security.
She said she made the request because of HYPPADEC’s record of development interventions across various sectors. She expressed optimism that the Correctional Service would be considered for support and promised continued cooperation between the two agencies.
HYPPADEC’s Kogi coordinator, Michael Omeiza Ajayi, described the request as institutional and said the commission would make every necessary effort to meet it. He did not give a timeline or say what form any support would take.
Ajayi said the commission operates in 10 local government areas in Kogi, particularly in riverine communities. He said its work extends beyond host communities and includes paying tuition fees for tertiary students and covering registration for the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) exams.
He thanked Aminu for the visit and said the commission would continue to work with the Correctional Service to ensure effective service delivery.
The Correctional Service’s Kogi command disclosed the details in a statement signed by Yabagi Abdullahi Umar, its acting public relations officer.
