The Nation Newspaper

Tag: inmates

  • JUST IN: 16 escape as inmates launch attacks on Keffi custodial centre

    JUST IN: 16 escape as inmates launch attacks on Keffi custodial centre

    Sixteen inmates of the Medium security custodial centre, Keffi, Nasarawa state, have escaped from the facility after launching attacks on personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) within the facility.

    The Nation gathered that five of the personnel sustained varying degrees of injuries following the attacks.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Umar Abubakar, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Abuja, saying the attacks occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

    Abubakar said, “Some inmates breached the security of the facility and attacked personnel on duty to compromise the situation.”

    He also explained, “In the course of containing the situation, five personnel of the Custodial Centre sustained varying degrees of injury, with two currently serious and receiving urgent medical attention at a government health facility”.

    Read Also: INEC to engage NASS on clear provisions for voting right for inmates

    He, however, said seven of the fleeing inmates have been recaptured and are now in custody.

    “The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has visited the facility and has ordered a thorough investigation into the escape.

    “He said no staff will be spared if found culpable. Furthermore, he has directed an immediate search to recapture the fleeing inmates in collaboration with sister security agencies.

    “Members of the public are hereby urged to remain calm, vigilant, and to promptly report any suspicious movements or sightings of fleeing inmates to the nearest security formation,” Abubakar, a Deputy Controller of Corrections, said.

    Abubakar said preliminary investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the escape, reassuring the public of the Service’s unwavering commitment to public safety and the security of all custodial facilities nationwide.

  • Awaiting trial inmates

    Awaiting trial inmates

    It’s an old issue that has refused to go away. “Overcrowding, no doubt, stands out as the most pressing challenge of the NCoS,” the Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, noted during an interactive session with field officers on January 13.  He said 48,932 inmates in the country’s correctional facilities were Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs), many of them “on non-bailable offences.”

    He unveiled his plans to tackle the problem, saying, “I intend to interface with the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, the inspector-general of police, and other prosecuting-agencies and critical stakeholders to fast track the trial of these inmates. This is necessary, especially those on non-bailable offences like armed robbery, murder, and others that constitute over 60 percent of awaiting trial persons (ATPs).”

    He added: “While engaging state chief executives to expedite the trial of the over 90 percent state offenders in custody, the use of non-custodial measures and early release mechanisms will be taken up with the judiciary. We will also fast-track the construction of proposed 3,000-capacity ultramodern custodial facilities and other centres across the country.”

    Read Also: 74% of inmates in Correctional facilities now on NIMC database

    Notably, Segun Olowookere, who controversially spent 14 years on death row before he was recently pardoned by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, drew attention to prison conditions in the country in an interview published after his release.

    He was sentenced to death and life imprisonment for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and robbery with firearms, and to three years imprisonment for stealing. But the popular narrative that he was given a death sentence for stealing fowls ultimately led to pardon by the governor. 

    He was in Ilesa prison, Osun State, “throughout the trial of the case.” After the judgment, he was moved to Ibara Prison, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He was later moved to Kirikiri Maximum Prison in Lagos, in 2016.

     According to him, “The major challenge was congestion. There were too many people inside a limited space. Because of the population, 50 inmates would occupy a room that should naturally contain a maximum of 10 people. We sleep like fishes packed in a carton because everywhere is measured for us. As an inmate, a space is measured for you to sleep because of congestion.”

    • First published January 29, 2025
  • Catholic church empowers 21 inmates in Ondo

    Catholic church empowers 21 inmates in Ondo

    A non-governmental organisation under the Catholic Church, the Don Bosco Correctional Skills Training Apostolate, has trained and empowered 21 inmates in Correctional Centres in Ondo State.

    The inmates were trained in different vocational skills such as tailoring, hairdressing, plumping, welding, electronics and electrical works, barbing, shoe making and others.

    They were also given starter packs to enable them kicked off their businesses.

    Representative of the NGO, Fr. Chima Agbo, said the training was to transform lives of the inmates and integrated them back to society.

    Agbo expressed optimism that the beneficiaries would not return to crime after leaving Correctional Centre.

    “We are happy to give 21 of them starter packs to start up their lives, we believe that once we empowered them, they would not be able to engage in crime again.

    “We are also using this opportunity to call on well-meaning Nigerians to help because we know that we can do more to give back to the society and by doing so we are transforming Nigeria.”

    Agbo, urged other organisations to emulate the kind gesture of Don Bosco as a way of empowering idle offenders in custody to be productively engaged in order to keep them away from crime.

    Read Also: N5m bounty placed on six fleeing Ilesa Prison inmates

    Controller of Corrections, Ondo State Command, Jude Agboje, urged the beneficiaries to make good use of what they learnt while in incarceration

    Agboje said said the empowerment was a shared mission to restore lives, empower dreams, and foster true reintegration of inmates back into society as responsible, self-reliant individuals.

    ” Don Bosco organisation has stood as a pillar of compassion, and empowerment. Their efforts are a testament to what it means to not just talk change, but make it happen.

    “Transformation of the incarcerated is a shared responsibility, and rehabilitation is possible when society, government, and humanitarian organizations work hand-in-hand.”

    Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun Corps, called on the inmates not to misuse the opportunity given to them

  • Awaiting trial inmates

    Awaiting trial inmates

    It’s an old issue that has refused to go away. “Overcrowding, no doubt, stands out as the most pressing challenge of the NCoS,” the Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, noted during an interactive session with field officers on January 13.  He said 48,932 inmates in the country’s correctional facilities were Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs), many of them “on non-bailable offences.”

    He unveiled his plans to tackle the problem, saying, “I intend to interface with the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, the inspector-general of police, and other prosecuting-agencies and critical stakeholders to fast track the trial of these inmates. This is necessary, especially those on non-bailable offences like armed robbery, murder, and others that constitute over 60 percent of awaiting trial persons (ATPs).”

    He added: “While engaging state chief executives to expedite the trial of the over 90 percent state offenders in custody, the use of non-custodial measures and early release mechanisms will be taken up with the judiciary. We will also fast-track the construction of proposed 3,000-capacity ultramodern custodial facilities and other centres across the country.”

    Notably, Segun Olowookere, who controversially spent 14 years on death row before he was recently pardoned by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, drew attention to prison conditions in the country in an interview published after his release.

    He was sentenced to death and life imprisonment for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and robbery with firearms, and to three years imprisonment for stealing. But the popular narrative that he was given a death sentence for stealing fowls ultimately led to pardon by the governor.  

    He was in Ilesa prison, Osun State, “throughout the trial of the case.” After the judgment, he was moved to Ibara Prison, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He was later moved to Kirikiri Maximum Prison in Lagos, in 2016.

     According to him, “The major challenge was congestion. There were too many people inside a limited space. Because of the population, 50 inmates would occupy a room that should naturally contain a maximum of 10 people. We sleep like fishes packed in a carton because everywhere is measured for us. As an inmate, a space is measured for you to sleep because of congestion.”

    •First published January 29, 2025 

  • Five fleeing Koton Karfe Correctional facility inmates re-captured

    Five fleeing Koton Karfe Correctional facility inmates re-captured

    The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed a security breach at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, saying that five of the 12 fleeing inmates have been captured. 

    The Service admitted that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday 24 March, 2024, while the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo immediately ordered a probe of the incident. 

    According to the Public Relations Officer of the NCoS, Umar Abubakar,  some inmates in a section of the facility manipulated the padlocks, leading to the escape of 12 of them.

    Umar, a Deputy Controller of Corrections said: “Upon receiving reports of the attack, the Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche in collaboration with heads of sister security agencies including the SSA to the Governor of kogi State immediately mobilized to the facility, and personnel were deployed to secure the facility, restore order, and initiate a manhunt for the escapees. 

    “As of this moment, 5 of the fleeing inmates have been recaptured, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining inmates and bring them to justice.

    Read Also: Wife of NCoS boss, NGO secure release of five inmates

    “The Acting Controller General of Corrections has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escaped.

    ” Additionally, a security audit is being conducted across all correctional facilities nationwide to prevent future occurrences.

    ” The Service urges members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing any useful information that may assist in the recapture of those still at large. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.”

    Umar assured Nigerians that the safety of custodial centers remains a top priority to NCoS,  stating that measures are being reinforced to strengthen security across all facilities. 

    “The NCoS remains committed to ensuring that correctional facilities fulfill their mandate of safe custody, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates,” Umar stated. 

  • Chief Judge frees 95 inmates in Katsina

    Chief Judge frees 95 inmates in Katsina

     The Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi, on Thursday granted bail to 91 inmates and discharged four during a jail delivery exercise.

    Speaking at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Katsina Old, the Chief Judge said the move aimed to reduce overcrowding in correctional facilities across the state.

    He disclosed that the released inmates were recommended by the Sub-Committee on Decongestion of Correctional Centres for various valid reasons.

    Read Also: Communal crisis: Nwifuru grants amnesty to 159 prison inmates

    According to him, some inmates were released due to age, prolonged detention, or serious health conditions that warranted their freedom on compassionate grounds.

    Danladi announced that, henceforth, details and photographs of released inmates would be documented for reference and tracking purposes.

    He urged the freed individuals to obey the law, warning that repeat offenders may not receive similar opportunities in future.

    The Controller of Corrections in the state, Mr Umar Baba, thanked the Chief Judge, saying the exercise greatly benefited correctional centres in Katsina.

    He stated the jail delivery exercise helped manage inmate population, reduce tension within facilities, and improve the reformation process.

    Baba appealed to judges and magistrates to apply non-custodial sentencing to ease congestion in correctional centres.

    Such measures, he said, would support reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates into society as law-abiding citizens.

    (NAN) 

  • Worry over high number of awaiting trial inmates

    Worry over high number of awaiting trial inmates

    A pressure group, Zarephath Aid, has expressed concern over the high number of pre-trial inmates in the nation’s correctional facilities.

    The group described the development as worrisome  and a reflection of the failure of the country’s criminal justice system.

    Addressing  a media briefing in Lagos, the founder of Zarephath Aid , Ben Abraham stated that approximately 80 per cent of inmates in Nigeria’s correctional centres are awaiting trial.

    The group identified the absence of prosecution witnesses during trials, lack of transport to convey inmates to court, administrative delays caused by the transfer or retirement of judges, and prolonged delays in receiving advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as some of the systemic flaws contributing to the crisis.

    Read Also: Tinubu appoints eight new permanent secretaries

    Abraham said: “Some inmates have languished for over a decade awaiting trial. Among them were Moses Abiodun and Kazeem Adeshina, who spent 16 years in custody due to unresolved administrative bottlenecks before their recent release through Zarephath Aid’s legal aid intervention.”

    This situation, he said, contravenes the principles of human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations 76 years ago.

    “Human rights are fundamental and intrinsic to our humanity,” Abraham noted, just as he added that, “Yet, in Nigeria, delayed trials are effectively adjudging many individuals guilty without giving them an opportunity to defend themselves. This is unacceptable.”

    The group, therefore, called for a comprehensive and holistic facility audit, tasking the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) and similar state committees to work with NGOs in auditing all correctional facilities in the country with a view to identifying stalled cases.

    The group called for the establishment of ad-hoc panels of retired magistrates and judges to expedite the issuance of DPP advice, and the full engagement of NGOs to assist in decongesting prisons, and replicating successful programmes from past administrations.

    The organisation emphasised that tackling these issues requires political will and cooperation across all sectors of the justice system.

  • Fed Govt reviews inmates’ feeding allowance from N750 to N1,250

    Fed Govt reviews inmates’ feeding allowance from N750 to N1,250

    The Federal Government has reviewed the feeding allowance of inmates in the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).

    This followed a recent viral video that showed inmates complaining of poor feeding at the correctional centres in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    NCoS spokesman Umar Abubakar said announced while addressing reporters during the monthly media briefing of the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC) yesterday in Abuja.

    He said: “The viral video is not a representation of Nigeria Correctional Service nor is it a mandate of the service on reformation and rehabilitation of inmates. Let me make this known here that since the inception of the change in name, a significant progress has been made in reforming those who are in our custodies.

    “Four days ago, I granted an interview where we gave details on the alleged video. The NCoS has actually ordered for detailed investigation into the said video, which is going viral. And until the outcome of the investigation, I may not be able to speak much on it.

    “On the cost of food, the Federal Government has actually reviewed the feeding allowance of inmates in our custody with 50 per cent. This is just the first phase of the review.”

    Read Also: Lagos signs MoU with Chinese firm on rice value chain, agriculture

    Abubakar said the NCoS had provided an enabling environment for inmates to achieve its mandate of reformation and rehabilitation.

    He added: “Let me say here that currently, in an effort to ensure that we have what I refer to as public safety through our reformatory activities, we have over 1,000 of our inmates who are actually going through their various degree programmes: 282 are doing their Diploma and Master’s degree programmes, and six are doing their PhD programme. Three of the PhD students are already writing their theses.

    “All this is geared towards our efforts to ensure that we change the psyche and behaviour of our inmates and to help their re-entry back into the society. 

    “It is the care we give to these inmates in our custody that has actually provided a serene environment to help them learn skills acquisition across our custodial centres, and to also pursue their educational programme.”

  • NCoS: 3,590 out of 84,741 inmates on death row, says official

    NCoS: 3,590 out of 84,741 inmates on death row, says official

    The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Abubakar Umar, has said 3,590 inmates are on death row across the custodial centres in the country.

    The NCoS spokesman said the total number of inmates in centres across the country is 84,741, comprising of 82,821 males and 1,920 females as at Tuesday.

    He put the total number of Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATIs) at 57,750, comprising 56,303 males and 1,447 females.

    “The breakdown, according to their classes, is: convicted inmates are 21,900, comprising of 21,519 males and 381 females, while lifers are 1,501, comprising 1,478 males and 23 females.

    “The total number of Inmates on Death Row (IDR) is made up of 3,517 males and 73 females, making a total of 3,590,” Umar said.

    Read Also: Shettima calls for stronger alliance to end poverty

    He said the service was taking steps to ensure timely judicial processing for the Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs).

    “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.

    “The service is also tackling custodial congestion through the construction of new facilities, expansion of community sentencing, improvement of court logistics, and implementation of various decongestion measures, in addition to the release of inmates,” Umar said.

  • Security agencies get biometric details of 105 Suleja fleeing inmates

    Security agencies get biometric details of 105 Suleja fleeing inmates

    The authorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) may have released the biometric details of fleeing inmates of the Suleja medium security custodial centre to all security agencies to enable them to recapture 105 of the inmates who are still at large, The Nation gathered on Sunday, April 28.

    It was learnt that so far only 13 of the inmates have been recaptured and brought back to the 250 capacity custodial centre located in Suleja,  about 80km from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    The fleeing inmates escaped from the facility Wednesday night following torrential rainfall and storms which pulled down part of the buildings and its perimeter fence.

    The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo immediately visited the facility alongside senior government officials to see the extent of damage and obtain further information regarding the escaped prisoners.

    Our correspondent gathered at the weekend that security agencies are working in synergy “24/7 “to re-arrest the escapees.

    Sources further disclosed that the Minister of Interior has been working throughout the weekend and on the lookout for the recapturing of the fleeing inmates.

    Besides the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of States Security Service (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), it was learnt that other security forces have been alerted to spread their networks to ensure the re-arrest of the fleeing inmates.

    Read Also: FG orders manhunt for fleeing 109 Suleja inmates

    “In response to this incident, the Nigerian Correctional Service promptly activated its recapturing protocols and so far has successfully recovered 13 of the escaped inmates.

    “Collaborative efforts with other security agencies are ongoing to recapture the 105 fleeing inmates on the run,” Umar Abubakar, the national public relations officer of the NCoS said.

    Providing an update on the escapees, Abubakar told our correspondent that the security services are always working in synergy in a situation like this, stressing that the escapees would be rearrested in time.

    Asked if the security agencies are already in possession of the biometric details of fleeing inmates, Abubakar said: “You know we work in synergy, you will soon hear the results of our collective efforts.

    “I can tell you that since the incident, all the security architecture of the country is working in synergy to recapture the escapees as soon as possible more importantly because of its implications for the country. I can assure that we will recapture them. We have recaptured 13, the remaining 105 will be recaptured any time soon.”