July 30, (THEWILL) – Ahead of the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship scheduled for August 1, the Federal Government has declared all its 256 custodial centres across the country as “red zones” whose sanctity must not be violated.
Controller General of Corrections (CGC), Hailey Nababa, in a statement on Tuesday, warned protesters to steer clear of the Custodian Centres.
“In view of the purported national protest scheduled to be held on the first day of August 2024, the Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to inform the public that Custodial Centres are red zones; any unauthorised persons should steer clear.
“Adequate security arrangements are in place to ensure no correctional facility is breached,” the CGC said.
The Ministry of Interior Joint Taskforce (MOIJTF) has been activated to provide extra security around custodial facilities.
This move follows a similar directive from the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) to bolster security at the country’s borders.
“The Comptroller General of Immigration Service, K. N Nandap, has directed heightened vigilance and surveillance in view of the planned protest,” the NCS announced.
Other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army and police, have also cautioned against violence during the planned protest.
