The Nigeria Correctional Service has disclosed that more than 3,590 inmates across its custodial centres are currently on death row.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this revelation was made by Assistant Controller of Corrections and NCoS Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, during an interaction with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday.
Umar provided an update on the total inmate population in Nigeria, noting that as of September 3, 2024, there are 84,741 individuals in custody, comprising 82,821 males and 1,920 females.
He emphasized that a significant portion of this population consists of Awaiting Trial Inmates, with 57,750 individuals, including 56,303 males and 1,447 females, still awaiting judicial proceedings.
“The breakdown according to their categories is as follows: 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 is made up of 3,517 males and 73 females, making a total of 3,590,” Umar explained.
He expressed concern over the high number of ATIs, acknowledging that this poses a significant challenge for the NCoS.
However, he assured that the Service is actively working to address the situation by enhancing the judicial processing speed for these individuals.
“We have successfully reduced the inmate population by releasing 4,063 individuals who were given the option to pay fines and/or compensation,” Umar stated, crediting the initiative and support of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for this achievement.
In efforts to further alleviate custodial congestion, Umar noted that the NCoS is expanding its facilities, improving court logistics, and implementing various decongestion measures.
“The Service is also tackling custodial congestion through the construction of new facilities, the expansion of community sentencing, improvement of court logistics, and the implementation of various decongestion measures, in addition to the release of inmates,” he added.
On the security front, Umar highlighted that the Service has strengthened security at custodial centres to guard against external threats and has maintained internal stability, with no reports of insurrections.
Additionally, Umar reported significant improvements in the treatment and rehabilitation of inmates.
He cited the partnership between the NCoS and the National Open University of Nigeria as an example of this progress, revealing that as of August 31, 2024, 1,282 inmates were enrolled in various academic programmes offered by NOUN, including advanced degrees.
“A breakdown according to their various programmes includes: the total number of NOUN inmate students studying for Bachelor of Science degrees as of 31 August is 1,215.
The total number of NOUN inmate students studying for Postgraduate Diplomas and Master’s degrees as of 31 August is 62. Also, the total number of NOUN inmate students studying for Doctor of Philosophy degrees is five, with three currently writing their thesis,” he elaborated.
Umar concluded by reaffirming the NCoS’s commitment to the ongoing reformation, rehabilitation, and successful reintegration of inmates into society, noting that these efforts have yielded positive results in improving the lives of those in custody.
