Over 7,500 freed as govt moves to decongest prisons

No fewer than 7,646 inmates have been released from correctional centres across the country between January 2022 and June 2025, as federal and state governments intensify efforts to address chronic overcrowding in the custodial centres.

Our correspondent gathered on Friday that the releases, which were carried out by state and federal authorities, chief judges, and non-governmental organisations, reflect a growing trend in decongestion initiatives.

According to data from various media reports by our correspondent, 707 inmates were released in 2022, 4,678 in 2023 and 1,843 in 2024.

A total of 418 inmates have been freed as of mid-2025.

The mass pardon targeted individuals who were unable to pay fines and was supported by corporate donations totalling N585m under corporate social responsibility programmes.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated that the initiative helped the government saved about N1bn in feeding expenses for inmates.

Despite the efforts, overcrowding remains a serious issue.

Latest figures from the Nigerian Correctional Service indicate that the country’s correctional facilities currently house 81,746 inmates, far exceeding the system’s intended capacity of just over 50,000.

Out of the total population, 54,013 inmates are awaiting trial, many of whom face serious criminal charges such as armed robbery, murder, and culpable homicide.

The spokesperson for the Nigeria Correctional Service, Abubakar Umar, recently told our correspondent that the Federal Government was working on expanding infrastructure to modernise and relieve pressure on existing correctional facilities.

He noted that construction was ongoing for two new custodial centres, each with a capacity of 6,000 inmates, located in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.