Federal Government Releases 4,550 Inmates to Decongest Overcrowded Prisons

The Federal Government of Nigeria has released 4,550 inmates from various custodial centres across the country in a major move to decongest overcrowded prisons and improve the administration of criminal justice. The announcement was made on Thursday, July 25, 2025, by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a press briefing in Abuja. Dr. Tunji-Ojo stated that the released inmates were mainly those incarcerated for minor or bailable offences, as well as individuals who had been detained for prolonged periods without trial. He noted that this exercise was part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at strengthening justice reforms, ensuring humane treatment of inmates, and addressing the crisis of congestion in the correctional system. With the release of the 4,550 inmates, the custodial population has been reduced from over 86,000 to about 81,450. The minister explained that many correctional centres were operating far beyond capacity, and urgent action was needed to bring them within sustainable limits. He added that the release followed collaborative reviews conducted by the Ministry of Interior, the Nigerian Correctional Service, and the judiciary to identify eligible inmates. The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, commended the initiative and described it as a critical step toward improving justice delivery in the country. He said the House would continue to support policies that prioritize reform and rehabilitation over prolonged incarceration, particularly for non-violent offenders. Several states had already taken similar steps in recent months. In Oyo State, the Chief Judge ordered the release of 97 ailing inmates from Agodi Correctional Facility on compassionate grounds. Ogun State also freed 67 inmates across its correctional centres after case reviews revealed prolonged detentions without trial. These efforts at the state level align with the federal government’s commitment to justice sector reform. The decongestion effort has also brought financial relief. Previous exercises have saved the federal government more than ₦1 billion in feeding and maintenance costs annually. The minister emphasized that the long-term plan is to overhaul the correctional system to focus on rehabilitation and reintegration rather than punishment alone. Dr. Tunji-Ojo urged the public to support reintegration efforts and encouraged the released individuals to make positive use of the opportunity granted them. He assured that the government would continue reviewing cases of inmates and implement structural reforms to ensure that the nation’s custodial system operates within the bounds of law, fairness, and international standards.