The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) are pushing for stronger collaboration to improve inmate welfare, intelligence sharing, and overall national security.
Speaking in Abuja, NCoS boss Sylvester Nwakuche described both agencies as “twin brothers” in Nigeria’s justice system, stressing that their roles are tightly linked—from arrest to custody.
He revealed that Nigeria’s correctional centres currently house about 80,000 inmates, with over 55,000 still awaiting trial, blaming the congestion on delays in the wider justice process.
Nwakuche called for urgent case reviews to ease overcrowding and highlighted the need for deeper intelligence sharing, noting that prisons hold valuable information that can support investigations.
He also pushed for joint training programmes and better coordination, saying collaboration must replace rivalry.
On infrastructure, he flagged many facilities as outdated and in need of urgent upgrades but commended the Federal Government under Bola Tinubu for ongoing improvements in welfare and facilities.
On his part, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu said his visit was aimed at strengthening real working relationships, not just formal ties.
He warned that rising threats—including jailbreak attempts and attacks on officers—make closer cooperation unavoidable.
“Intelligence sharing is critical. No information is useless,” he said, urging both agencies to build stronger communication and joint response systems.
Both sides agreed: better coordination, shared intelligence, and joint training are key to securing Nigeria—and fixing its overstretched correctional system.
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