The Nigeria Correctional Service has revealed that 3,590 prisoners in Nigeria’s detention facilities are on death row.
Assistant Controller of Corrections and Public Relations Officer Abubakar Umar, made this revelations to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.
Umar stated that as of September 3, 2024, there were 84,741 prisoners locked in various facilities around the nation, with 82,821 males and 1,920 females.
The NCoS representative estimated that there were 57,750 prisoners awaiting trial, 56,303 of whom were men and 1,447 of them were women.
“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,” he said.
According to Umar, the high number of detainees are awaiting trial, which poses a big problem for the system because of their large number.
But he assured that the Service is moving to resolve the matter and make sure the Awaiting Trial Persons receive their court proceedings on schedule.
“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, the expansion of community sentencing, improvement of court logistics, and the implementation of various decongestion measures, in addition to the release of inmates,” he said.
According to Umar, the Service’s efforts to form alliances with other organizations have paid off, improving security and producing favorable outcomes in and around detention facilities.
“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.”
Umar said that the Service had witnessed notable improvements in the way that prisoners were treated and cared for, especially with regard to effective reintegration into society, personal reformation, and rehabilitation programs.
He continued by saying that the collaboration between the NCoS and NOUN has produced tangible outcomes, with a sizable proportion of prisoners enrolled in advanced degree programs among other academic offerings while serving their sentences.
He stated that 1,282 prisoners were enrolled at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) special study center as of August 31, 2024.
“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 said.
