The federal government has released 15 inmates from the Malumfashi satellite custodial centre in Katsina.
Haliru Nababa, controller-general of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), disclosed this at an event on Saturday.
Represented by Abdulmumin-Haruna, controller of corrections, Katsina command, Nababa said the release was facilitated by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior.
He said the inmates freed were those who committed minor offences, adding that the development would address overcrowding in custodial centres.
“I commend the minister for this laudable initiative aimed at putting smiles on the faces of freed inmates,” he said.
“This is the first of its kind in the country and will go a long way in reducing overcrowding in custodial centres.
“This will consequently improve service delivery at the custodial centres in line with international best practice.”
Nababa encouraged inmates who did not benefit from the goodwill not to lose hope.
“You should instead, see it as an opportunity to turn a new leaf and obey the rules and regulations of the custodial centre,” he said.
The government presented N10,000 each to the freed inmates as transportation costs back to their homes.
The freed inmates thanked the government and promised to turn a new leaf.
