3,413 inmates on death row in Nigeria – NCoS

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed that 3,413 inmates are on death row in custodial centres across the country.

The National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the NCoS, Umar Abubakar, disclosed this during a media parley on Friday in Abuja.

He said the total number of Inmates on Death Row (IDR) was made up of 3,341 males and 72 females.

“As of Monday, 18th of December, 2023, there were a total of 77,849 inmates comprising 76,081 males and 1,768 females.

“The breakdown according to their classes is as follows: Convicted inmates (18,935 males and 357 females), Awaiting Trial Persons (52,512 males and 1,324 females), Lifers (1,293 and 15 females), IDR (3,341 males and 72 females), making a total of 76,081 males and 1,768 females,” he explained.

The NCoS spokesman also disclosed that the number of Awaiting Trial Persons (ATP) in custody constitutes 69 per cent of the total inmate population, saying the high number of ATP was a phenomenon that is challenging for the Service.

He, however, said the Service was working towards alleviating this conundrum and providing judicial guarantees for them.

“With the initiative and support of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, we were able to trim down the numbers in our custody following the release of 4,086 inmates who had options of fine and/or compensation.

“This is in addition to other measures such as the construction of new custodial facilities in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, strengthening the non-custodial alternative, provision of adequate logistics for court duties, and other initiatives towards decongesting custodial facilities,” Umar said.

He said the Service enhanced the fortification of custodial facilities from external attacks and aggression in 2023, adding “We have not recorded any form of internal insurrection from within our facilities.”