3,269 males, 72 females to die by hanging, says FG

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

Federal Government, has given a breakdown of the inmates in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), saying that as at Monday, December, 18, 2023, out of a total of 3,341 inmates condemned to death, 72 are female.

Speaking to newsmen at the weekend, the National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NCoS, Abubakar Umar, stated that a total of
77,849 inmates are currently in the facility. This comprises 76,081 males and 1,768 females.

Also 18,935 males and 357 females have been convicted. On the awaiting trial list, while 52,512 are males, 1,324 are females.

Whereas those on life imprisonment are 1,293 males,
15 are females
So far, a total of 76,081 males are quarantined nationwide in the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service whereas 1,768 female inmates are languishing in the darkroom of the centre.

While regretting the high number of awaiting trial inmates in the facility, Umar assured that the federal government is making efforts to ensure a judicial guarantees for them.

“It could be observed that the number of Awaiting Trial Persons (ATP) in the custody constitutes 69 per cent 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” he said

Apparently referring to the high number of jailbreaks in 2023, the PRO said that the federal government has fortified the custodial centres against internal and external aggressions.

“This year, we were able to enhance the fortification of our custodial facilities from external attacks and aggression. 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. In addition, we have explored interagency synergy in building security in and around custodial centres in Nigeria” the PRO, said