The Federal Government has announced the arrest of two high-profile suspects on Interpol’s red list in Nigeria, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s law enforcement and border security.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed the arrests during the 5th Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja on Thursday. He stated that one suspect was apprehended in Abuja two days ago, while the other was arrested last week at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
“This marks a shift in the country’s security landscape,” Tunji-Ojo said. “It is not business as usual. A secured border is a safe nation.”
The minister highlighted improvements in border control, including the establishment of new border posts and the deployment of officers to regulate migration. He also noted that the Nigerian Immigration Service now operates a command and control centre that integrates real-time security data from across the globe.
In a related development, Tunji-Ojo announced the release of over 4,082 minor offenders from correctional facilities nationwide, saving the country more than ₦1 billion annually in operational costs. He added that President Bola Tinubu has approved an increase in inmates’ feeding allowances and the relocation of 29 correctional centres situated in residential areas due to urban development.
“Some of these facilities were built over 50 years ago, with one dating back to 1914,” the minister said, adding that over 3,000 buildings in more than 240 correctional centres are currently undergoing renovation.
Tunji-Ojo also reported that the ministry had recorded two jailbreaks under the current administration but no external attacks on prisons. He credited proactive policing for the swift re-arrest of inmates who escaped from Suleja Prison after a flood damaged the perimeter fence.
In the area of resource security, the minister revealed that over 2,125 illegal mining sites have been shut down, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has trained over 10,000 Agro Rangers to protect farmlands and resolve conflicts between farmers and herders.
Tunji-Ojo noted that internal security, previously managed by the military, is now transitioning to the paramilitary under President Tinubu’s directive. This shift aims to strengthen domestic security and enhance the capacity of paramilitary officers to respond effectively to security challenges.
