3,413 inmates currently on death row, says NCoS boss
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) yesterday said no fewer than 3,413 inmates are on death row in various custodial centres across the country.
According to the Service Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, the total number of inmates in the centres stood at 77,849 comprising 76,081 males and 1,768 females as at Monday, 18th of December, this year.
Umar, who spoke with select newsmen at the Service Headquarters in Abuja on behalf of the Controller-General, Alhaji Haliru Nababa, said there were no recorded accounts of external aggressions and attacks on their facilities this year, attributing the development to deployment of surveillance and monitoring gadgets.
He put the total number of awaiting trial inmates at 53,836, comprising 52,512 male and 1,324 female.
“It could be observed that the number of Awaiting Trial Persons (ATP) in custody constitutes 69 percent of the total inmate population.
“The high number of ATP is a phenomenon that is challenging for the Service. However, the Service is working towards alleviating this conundrum and providing judicial guarantees for them,” Umar said.
He revealed that a total of 1,308 inmates were those sentenced to life imprisonment, adding that of the 3,413 inmates on death row, 3,341 of the persons are male while the remaining 72 are female.
“Also, we have not recorded any form of internal insurrection from within our facilities. This result is largely attributed to adequate provision of the basic needs and necessities of inmates, as well as the proactive efforts of the Service through the deployment of technology in surveillance and logistical provisions for rapid response in and around custodial facilities,” he stated.
Umar said the Service explored interagency synergy in building security in and around Custodial Centres in Nigeria, which he noted, had yielded positive results.
He said due to the proactive initiative and support of the Minister for Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Service was able to trim down the numbers of inmates in the custodial centres, following the release of 4,086 inmates who had options of fine and compensation.
Umar said: “This year also, we are able to improve on the treatment regime for inmates in the areas of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration.
“Suffice it to mention that a total of 1,840 inmates sat for the 2023 NECO/SSCE, while many others are undergoing various academic programmes in Custodial Centres nationwide.
“As you are aware, our partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is yielding pragmatic result, as many inmates are undergoing various degree programmes, including doctorate degrees, in custody.
“In terms of staff welfare, we are committed towards improving the wellbeing of personnel, as they are invaluable in achieving Service mandates.
“In addition to providing more barracks and office accommodation, we succeeded in the massive promotion of staff this year. In 2023 alone, we were able to promote more than 20,000 officers and men.
“Only yesterday (Thursday), we decorated a total of 5,014 personnel who were recently promoted, in addition to the 17,693 who were elevated earlier in the year.
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