The federal government has freed 68 inmates in Zaria custodial centre as part of an effort to decongest the correctional facilities across the country.
Dr. Ado Saleh, Comptroller of Correctional Service, Kaduna State, said the federal government has settled N52m fines and compensation for the 399 inmates at various correctional centres across Kaduna State.
Saleh said, “We are here to release 68 inmates from Zaria, Makarfi, Soba and Ikara correctional centres. 110 inmates were earlier released at Kaduna.
“The ceremony in Zaria was a continuation of the programme that was designed and implemented by the federal government. In total 399 inmates in Kaduna State were marked to be released at the cost of N52m.
Benue Assembly suspends 4 members
You should do more to save children, Bill Gates foundation tells Buni
“The flag-off programme is simultaneously taking place at Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria, and was to see to the release of 281 across the state.
“Of the 281 to be released across Kaduna State, 68 inmates were from Zaria zone,’’ he said.
He added that each of the beneficiaries (freed inmates) would be given N10,000 to pay a transport fare.
Earlier, Mr Olubunmi Ojo, Minister of Interior said no fewer than 4,068 inmates would benefit from the initiative across the country.
