Over 3,400 Inmates On Death Row In Nigeria, Says Prison Service

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed that a staggering 3,413 inmates are currently on death row across the country’s custodial centres. This figure represents a fraction of the total 77,849 inmates—76,081 males and 1,768 females—currently housed in these facilities.

Speaking on behalf of Controller-General, Alhaji Haliru Nababa, the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, revealed this during a briefing with select journalists at the Service Headquarters in Abuja.

Umar noted that of the total inmate population, 53,836 individuals are awaiting trial, with 52,512 males and 1,324 females. He expressed concerns over this substantial number, acknowledging the Service’s ongoing efforts to address the issue and ensure proper judicial procedures.

Additionally, Umar disclosed that 1,308 inmates were serving life sentences, with 3,341 males and 72 females among the 3,413 on death row. He attributed the absence of internal disturbances within their facilities to the provision of fundamental needs for inmates and the Service’s proactive deployment of technology for surveillance and swift response measures.

Acknowledging collaborative efforts for heightened security within Custodial Centers in Nigeria, Umar credited interagency cooperation for positive outcomes. Moreover, he credited the Minister for Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for supporting initiatives that led to the release of 4,086 inmates who were eligible for fines or compensation, effectively reducing custodial centre populations.

The NCoS spokesperson highlighted advancements in inmate welfare, citing educational opportunities such as the National Examination Council/Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (NECO/SSCE) undertaken by 1,840 inmates.

He also noted the partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), enabling numerous inmates to pursue diverse academic programs, including doctoral degrees while in custody.

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 results as many inmates are undergoing various degree programmes, including doctorate degrees, in custody.

“In terms of staff welfare, we are committed towards improving the well-being 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.

“In the area of cushioning the hardship faced by staff arising from the fuel subsidy removal, we rolled out several palliative measures among which is the provision of mass transit buses to convey staff residing in faraway areas to and from work at no cost.”