Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has vowed to ensure effective sanctions are meted out to any official found wanting in the face of allegations that convicted cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, who was sentenced to six months in prison, was allegedly given an apartment outside the custodial facility.

Speaking at a media interface Friday in Abuja, the minister said the suspension of senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, was to ensure unhindered investigation into the matter.

He said: ?We will not spare anybody no matter how highly placed. Let?s be patient.

?Investigation is on. But let?s be assured that nobody will be shielded and nobody will be protected.?

Tunji-Ojo expressed confidence in the ability of the investigative panel headed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, to discharge its mandate creditably.

According to him, members of the committee were carefully selected, with two of them from the civil society community.

? vandals

On activities of vandals in some parts of the country, the minister said over the past year, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, arrested 2, 254 vandals and oil bunkerers, with 550 currently under prosecution and 122 convictions already secured.

?In addition, the NSCDC disrupted organised crime networks by destroying 150 illegal refineries and 64 illegal oil dumps.

?The reform of the private security sector has also yielded impressive results. 115 licensed companies are now legally operating, and we are in the process of licensing an additional 178 companies.

?Moreover, a total of 3,394 private security guards have undergone rigorous training, while the sector generated an impressive revenue of ?861,620,500.

?In alignment with our economic diversification goals, we launched the Mine Marshal initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Mines and Steel to combat illegal mining and boost national revenue.

?This is just one example of our commitment to reducing dependency on the oil industry.

?Our personnel have received extensive training to maintain readiness in the face of evolving security challenges. Over the past year, 21,383 senior officers and 2,551 junior officers were promoted, while 818 junior officers were upgraded to senior officer cadre, ensuring a motivated and capable workforce.

?We have also prioritized the National Plan on Safe School initiative, providing a secure environment for our children to learn without fear,? he stated. (Vanguard)

Update news