The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has officially refuted reports alleging that 26,000 children are being held in custodial centres across the country.
In a statement issued by the agency, the NCoS described the reports as false, misleading, and grossly exaggerated, emphasizing that such figures do not reflect the reality within the correctional system. The service clarified that while there are juvenile offenders in custody, the number is significantly lower than what has been claimed in certain media publications.
According to the NCoS, children in conflict with the law are handled with strict adherence to national and international legal standards, including the Child Rights Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Juveniles are kept in borstal institutions — facilities specifically designed for the rehabilitation and reformation of young offenders — and not in conventional custodial centres alongside adult inmates.
The agency further reaffirmed its commitment to the rehabilitation and reintegration of young offenders through educational programs, vocational training, and psychological support.
By setting the record straight, the NCoS is urging the public to rely on verified data and avoid spreading misinformation that could misrepresent ongoing efforts in reforming the correctional system and protecting the rights of minors in custody.
