Prepare Rifles, Secure Prisons During Protests; NCS Tells Officers
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has issued a directive to its arms unit to prepare for potential security challenges during the upcoming nationwide protests.
Accordingly, they were asked to service weapons in their armoury.
According to sources, the directive aims to ensure that the arms unit is ready to maintain order and prevent incidents like those that occurred during the #EndSARS protests, where some custodial centers were attacked and inmates were released.
The NCS has instructed Deputy Controllers to ensure that their arms units are properly serviced and prepared for the August protests.
Another source at the Enugu prison said that all the staff on leaves and training had been recalled, including nursing mothers.
According to the source, warders and wardresses including nursing mothers are now on 12hours long shift schedules, unlike before when they had three work shifts.
“Our work schedule has changed since last week. From today work starts from 6am to 6pm. A secular from our headquarters in Abuja also directed arms unit to ensure that their arms are in good condition and directed to properly serviced them. Even nursing mothers are not spared because of shortages in manpower. So, they’re also going to work from 8am to 6pm in the evening,” the source said.
It was reported that the planned protest is aimed to address concerns over government ineptitude, corruption, and lack of accountability, with organizers urging nationwide participation.
In response, Nigerian authorities have beefed up security presence, escalating tensions in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
Most governors have equally intensified campaign against the protest using various groups including the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), church leaders, and National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) to discourage the protest.
Effort to get reaction of the National Publicity Secretary of Nigeria Correctional Service, Abubakar were unsuccessful as he neither take his calls or respond to a text message inquiry.
