The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed that over 3,590 inmates across the custodial centres in Nigeria are on death row, News About Nigeria reports.
The NCoS Public Relations Officer, Assistant Controller of Corrections (ACC), Abubakar Umar, made the revelation while speaking to Newsmen on Wednesday.
Umar also revealed that the total number of inmates in centres across the country is 84,741, comprising 82,821 males and 1,920 females as of Sept. 3, 2024.
He further disclosed that most inmates in custody were Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs), posing a significant challenge to the service due to their high numbers.
He gave the total number of Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATIs) at 57,750, comprising 56,303 males and 1,447 females.
The NCoS spokesperson, however, assured that the service is putting necessary measures in place to address the issue and ensure timely judicial processing for the awaiting trial persons.
“The breakdown according to their classes is: convicted inmates are 21,900, comprising 21,519 males and 381 females, while lifers are 1,501, comprising 1,478 males and 23 females. The total number of inmates on Death Row (IDR) was made up of 3,517 males and 73 females, making a total of 3,590. Thanks to the initiative and backing of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, we successfully reduced the inmate population by releasing 4,063 individuals who were given the option to pay fines and/or compensation.
“The Service is also tackling custodial congestion through the construction of new facilities, expansion of community sentencing, improvement of court logistics, and implementation of various decongestion measures, in addition to the release of inmates. The Service has taken steps to reinforce the security of custodial facilities against external threats, and we have maintained a stable and secure environment within our facilities, with no incidents of internal insurrection.”
