The number of inmates on death row includes 3,517 males and 73 females.
Abuja – The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed that as of September 3, 2024, there are 3,590 inmates on death row across custodial centres in Nigeria.
Abubakar Umar, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and Assistant Controller of Corrections (ACC), disclosed this information in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to Umar, the total number of inmates in the country’s custodial facilities stands at 84,741, comprising 82,821 males and 1,920 females. Out of this population, 57,750 are Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATIs), which includes 56,303 males and 1,447 females.
The breakdown of the inmate population further reveals that there are 21,900 convicted inmates, made up of 21,519 males and 381 females. Additionally, 1,501 inmates are serving life sentences, with 1,478 males and 23 females. The number of inmates on death row includes 3,517 males and 73 females.
Umar highlighted that the high number of Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs) poses a significant challenge to the NCoS. However, he assured that the service is actively working on reducing this number through various measures, including timely judicial processing for ATPs.
“With the support of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, 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.
The NCoS is also addressing custodial congestion by constructing new facilities, expanding community sentencing, improving court logistics, and implementing decongestion measures. These efforts have been complemented by strengthening partnerships with other agencies to enhance security within and around custodial facilities.
“The service has reinforced security to protect against external threats and has maintained a stable and secure environment within our facilities, with no incidents of internal insurrection,” Umar added.
Significant strides have also been made in the treatment and care of inmates, particularly in personal reformation, rehabilitation programs, and successful reintegration into society. A key aspect of this effort is the collaboration between the NCoS and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), which has led to a significant number of inmates enrolling in various academic programs while serving their sentences.
As of August 31, 2024, a total of 1,282 inmates were enrolled in NOUN’s special study centre. Of these, 1,215 are pursuing Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degrees, 62 are studying for Postgraduate Diplomas (PGD) and Masters degrees, and five are enrolled in Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs, with three currently working on their theses.
Join our Channel...