The Nigeria Correctional Service, NCoS, has revealed that 3,590 inmates out of which 3,517 are males and 73 females are on the death row in prisons across Nigeria.
The revelation shows the huge gap between the number of males and females who are awaiting the noose man.
According to NCoS Public Relations Officer, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Abubakar Umar, while speaking in Abuja,the total number of inmates in prisons across the country is 84,741 comprising 82,821 males and 1,920 females as at Sept. 3, 2024.
He added that out of the 82,821, 57,750 are awaiting trials comprising 56,303 males and 1,447 females.
“The breakdown according to their classes is: convicted inmates are 21,900 comprising 21,519 males and 381 females, while lifers are 1,501 comprising 1,478 males and 23 females,” he said.
“The total number of Inmates on Death Row (IDR) was made up of 3,517 males and 73 females making a total of 3,590,”he said.
Umar noted that the high numbers of awaiting trial inmates pose a significant challenge for the Service but assured that the Service was taking steps to address the issue and ensuring timely judicial processing for them.
“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.”
He added that many of the inmates have been reformed and rehabilitated while some have been reintegrated into the society.
Umar further said as of August 31, 1,282 inmates enrolled in the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, special study centre studying for Bachelor of Sciences (B.Sc), while 62 are studying for Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) and Master.
