Gov. Alex Otti says new correctional facilities in Abia aim to reduce congestion, improve security, and support inmate rehabilitation.
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has reaffirmed that his administration’s ongoing investment in modern correctional infrastructure is driven by a clear mission: reducing congestion and strengthening rehabilitation across correctional centres in the state.
The Governor made this known on Friday, November 21, during a familiarisation visit by the new Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Owerri Zone E, and Assistant Controller General of Corrections, Dr. Ngozi Amanze.
According to Otti, expanding and upgrading correctional facilities remains a key component of his security reform agenda.
“Our intention in developing new facilities is to reduce congestion and reduce the temptation to more crime in there,” he said.
He emphasized that correctional centres must truly serve their purpose correcting and reforming inmates rather than creating hardened criminals.
Driving Meaningful Reform and Humane Conditions
Governor Otti also recounted an encounter shortly after assuming office with Senator Shehu Sani, who was once detained at the Aba Correctional Centre during the Abacha era. The former lawmaker had vowed not to revisit Abia until the facility underwent substantial improvement an interaction that prompted Otti to dispatch a team to assess the centre.
The Governor noted that the state attempted to grant pardons over the last two years to inmates with minor offences but found none during the reviews. He urged the NCoS to help identify such cases to enable the state government to support decongestion efforts.
“We don’t want numbers to keep rising unnecessarily,” Otti stated.
“When you have a large population in these facilities, it means crime is increasing, and that is a red flag.”
Strengthening Healthcare and Inmate Welfare
Addressing concerns raised by Dr. Amanze, Governor Otti stressed the need for effective healthcare within correctional centres. He immediately directed the Commissioner for Health to visit the facilities and explore establishing functional primary healthcare centres in the custodial environments.
Otti also acknowledged the need to strengthen education, skills acquisition programs, drug management, and other rehabilitation-focused services.
“Where you have large numbers of people, you must have working medical facilities,” he said.
“Even if it is not a full hospital, a functional primary healthcare centre must be available.”
Commendation from the Nigerian Correctional Service
Earlier, Dr. Ngozi Amanze praised the Governor for the remarkable interventions already recorded under his administration.
She highlighted key improvements such as:
Reconstruction and fortification of the perimeter wall at the Aba Correctional Centre
Installation of solar-powered lighting systems
Construction of a storey building housing six new standard cells
She noted that these upgrades have boosted security, improved staff confidence, and enhanced the overall environment for rehabilitation.
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Amanze also emphasized that congestion remains a major challenge across correctional centres nationwide, expressing optimism that new cells under construction in Abia would significantly expand capacity and reduce overcrowding.
The visit was attended by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd) and other senior security officials.