By Ayodele Oni
As moves to decongest Custodial Facilities intensify, the Federal Government has reduced the number of inmates from over 86,000 to about 81,450.
This means 4,550 offenders have been released as part of efforts at decongestion nationwide.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the development during a meeting with Chinedu Ogah, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the reduction followed a review process that focused on inmates held for minor, bailable offences and those who had spent too long in custody.
“This is part of broader prison reforms aimed at aligning our correctional practices with global best standards,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He stressed that correctional centres house some of the most vulnerable people, individuals whose freedom has been lawfully taken, but who still deserve dignity and fairness.
In a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Press, Ozoya Imohimi, the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reforming the Nigerian Correctional Service, saying the administration remains focused on justice and humanity.
“We are working to strengthen our institutions so that even the most forgotten citizens are not left behind.”
Responding, Chinedu Ogah praised the reforms, which align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to reposition Nigeria for development.
Ogah also promised strong legislative oversight to ensure the reforms succeed and that the government’s vision for a just and humane correctional system becomes a reality.
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