Aregbesola’s reaction followed Makinde’s visit to the prison to assess the extent of the damage, which followed gunmen attack on the prison in Oyo town, which resulted in the escape of at least 500 inmates.

Makinde promised that his government would act quickly to safeguard the facility.

He spoke after inspecting the attacked center over the weekend, promising to install security cameras and connect them to the state’s security situation room.

Aregbesola’s media adviser, Sola Fasure, said yesterday on an Ibadan-based private radio station, “With due regard to Governor Makinde, I am sure if the governor has such power that something of such nature should be done in a correctional facility, “It would be taken as an advisory opinion. In the spirit of the moment, everybody is so concerned as some statements would be made but not necessarily because they are the right ones to be made.

“There is an ongoing upgrade program of all correctional facilities in the country. Unfortunately, it has not got to Abolongo before the incident happened. As you are aware, more percent of all inmates in the prison are awaiting trial. That creates a problem for accommodation.

“So the Federal Government is building a 3000-capacity facility in the six geo-political zones. Two are almost ready-the ones in Abuja and Kano. Each facility will have its court. So the problem of taking suspects to court will be sorted.”

“But what we need more than anything else is for state government, because 99 percent of most offenders are state offenders. They are the ones awaiting trials and occupying most of the spaces.

“The Federal Government had proposed at a time that they should build holding centers that the NCS will help them staff and manage it. And then to accelerate the wheel of justice so that justice will be quickly dispensed.

“If the state government wants to help, no problem, at least, every assistance would be appreciated. I am just clarifying. You can’t give what you don’t have. You can’t direct another agency on what to do. That is what I am trying to say.

“The issue of facility upgrades is squarely within the ministry of interior and the NCS’s jurisdiction. The state government does not have any prison holding centers.

“However, as I previously stated, if the state governments wish to assist, they will notify the appropriate authorities.” And your assistance will be greatly valued.”