Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior revealed that the federal government of Nigeria in a deliberate effort to curtail the congestion in the correctional centres, freed over 4,000 inmates housed in the facilities, thereby saving approximately N1 billion in feeding costs for the inmates.
The minister made the revelation during the 5th Ministerial press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday.
Dr Olubunmi explained that the initiative was necessitated in the government’s efforts to also review the cases of some of the inmates. During the process, some of the detainees were realized to have committed minor offences, therefore it became expedient to swiftly release them.
He said, “We decongested our correctional centres by five per cent last year,” Tunji-Ojo explained.
“Last year, just over 4,000 inmates were released in one day. All we did was conduct a detailed analysis and found that many inmates were there due to petty fines. This project allowed us to release over 4,082 inmates, saving the government N1bn a year in feeding costs.”
The minister also commended the efforts of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, emphasizing the tremendous work he did in 2024 when he destroyed over 2,125 illegal refineries and oil dumps across the country.
He also noted that the over 250 trucks that were illegally conveying refined petroleum products were impounded.
He said, “In 2024, the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad destroyed over 2,125 illegal refineries and oil dumps.
“Close to 205 trucks conveying illegally refined petroleum products have been impounded while more than 700 suspects and accomplices have been arrested.
“Notably, the corps has secured over 345 convictions while about 187 cases are still ongoing in the law court.”
