The Federal Government has freed over 4,000 inmates from correctional facilities nationwide as part of efforts to decongest prisons and cut costs, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo revealed on Thursday.
Speaking at the 5th Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo explained that many of the released detainees were serving time for minor offences and petty fines.
“We decongested our correctional centres by five per cent last year,” he said. “Just over 4,000 inmates were released in one day after a detailed analysis showed they were held over minor fines. This initiative saved the government N1bn in annual feeding costs.”
The minister also disclosed that the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad intensified its crackdown on illegal refineries, destroying over 2,125 illicit oil sites and storage facilities in 2024.
“Close to 205 trucks carrying illegally refined petroleum products were impounded, while more than 700 suspects were arrested,” he stated.
Tunji-Ojo further noted that 345 convictions had been secured so far, with 187 cases still pending in court.
The government’s efforts, he stressed, are aimed at improving national security, curbing economic sabotage, and reforming the correctional system.
