Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has falsified the reports that the Nigerian Correctional Service swapped inmates with innocent citizens, saying that it is not possible to swap inmates in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The minister disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, while giving his opening remarks at the third and fourth quarter 2021 performance review meeting of the ministry and its agencies.
According to him, “the allegations we hear are worrisome and most are false and almost impossible.
“There is a minimum setback between our facilities and human development areas, but if it’s not being enforced at some correctional services, we will ensure the enforcement,’’ he said.
The minister gave an assurance that the ministry under his watch has got no tolerance for such act, stressing that measures would be put in place to secure already properly-secured facilities of the Nigeria Correctional Services.
While speaking on current delays in the issuance of travel passports, the minister said the integration of the National Identity Number (NIN) with names database was responsible.
He cleared that Nigerians must know that if the names on their passport bio data and NIN do not tally, it would be difficult to prove that such names belong to one person.
“We must integrate NIN with passports and that’s why most of the delays are not caused by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
“For as long as your bio data integrates with your NIN which is in the database of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), then you have no issue.
“If the database of NIMC cannot accept your bio data, then the issuance of passport will be difficult,’’ he said.
The Minister also condemned server failure at the NIMC for hindrance in confirmation of NIN and consequently the issuance of passports.
“Tally in arrangement of names is important as these little things conspire against speedy processing of passports.
“Most applicants do not care about these minute details even though we have digitalised the entire application process,” he said.
He said his ministry and the NIS were strategizing to make sure that applicants of passports were able to get their applications online.
The minister encouraged the agencies to be more attentive to public perception about them.
“What you get the public to see and believe is of great importance and if a user of your service is dissatisfied with your service, then act, appropriately,’’