‘It could encourage jailbreaks’ — Akeredolu condemns soldiers’ withdrawal from Ondo prisons

Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, says the Nigerian Army has withdrawn its personnel from correctional centres in the state.

Akeredolu, in a statement by Richard Olatunde, his chief press secretary, said the move could trigger jailbreaks across the states.

The development comes about two months after the army withdrew troops from checkpoints in Ondo over the alleged failure of the state government to pay their allowances.

The governor had in October asked the police to beef up security around the correctional centres in the state following incidents of jailbreaks in Kogi and Oyo states.

“Last night, Gov. Akeredolu received reports from the Commissioner of Police in the state, Oyediran Oyeyemi, that soldiers attached to the correctional centres in the state have all been withdrawn,” the statement reads.

“This development came as a surprise considering the fact that both the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Correctional Service belong to the Federal Government.

“The governor was more bothered about the overflow effect of the soldiers’ withdrawal on the security situation in the state. More so that such action could easily encourage jailbreaks across the state.”

The statement, however, said that efforts have been made to ensure there are no security breaches.

The governor was said to have met with heads of other security agencies in the state and deployed police officers to the facilities.

“It is, however, pertinent to alert members of the public and the Federal Government of this unwholesome situation,” the statement reads.

“The situation notwithstanding, proactive efforts have been made to secure these centres so as not to allow premeditated jailbreaks.

“Similarly, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) whose main assignment is to secure Federal Government facilities, has also deployed armed officers to the correctional facilities.

“Akeredolu has also directed the deployment of men of the State Security Network (Amotekun) to complement the Police and the NSCDC.

“While we believe that the Federal Government has a duty to protect the prisons, we are more concerned about the security of our people across the state.

“A jailbreak will not only threaten the peaceful atmosphere we are enjoying in the state, it will pose serious danger to our people.”