By Chinasaokwu Helen okoro
No fewer than 3,590 inmates across prisons in Nigeria are on death row, the Nigeria Prisons Service has said.
The Public Relations Officer, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Abubakar Umar, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja yesterday, said the total number of inmates in prisons across the country was 84,741, comprising 82,821 males and 1,920 females, as of September 3, 2024.
He put the total number of awaiting trial inmates at 57,750, comprising 56,303 males and 1,447 females.
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.
Umar explained that the majority of inmates in custody were awaiting trial persons, which poses a significant challenge for the service due to their high numbers.
He, however, assured that the agency was taking steps to address the issue and ensure timely judicial processing for the awaiting trial persons.
Umar said: “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 the agency’s efforts to build partnerships with other agencies had paid off, leading to enhanced security and positive results in and around prison facilities.
He said: “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 also noted that the Service had seen significant enhancements in the treatment and care of inmates, particularly in personal reformation, rehabilitation programmes, and successful reintegration into society.
He added the partnership between the Prisons and NOUN had yielded practical results, with a significant number of inmates enrolled in academic programmes, including advanced degrees, while serving their sentences.
He said as of 31 August 2024, 1,282 inmates were enrolled in the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, special study centre.
“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 August 31 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 added.
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