ABUJA: The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced on Thursday that the Federal Government had released over 4,000 inmates from correctional facilities as part of its decongestion efforts, saving N1 billion in feeding costs.
Speaking at the 5th Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo explained that the initiative identified detainees incarcerated for minor fines, leading to their swift release.
We reduced congestion in our correctional centres by five per cent last year,” he stated. “In a single day, we freed over 4,000 inmates after a thorough analysis revealed that many were imprisoned for petty fines.
This initiative led to the release of 4,082 individuals, ultimately saving the government N1 billion annually in feeding expenses.”
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Additionally, he disclosed that in 2024, the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad dismantled more than 2,125 illegal refineries and oil dumps nationwide.
Tunji-Ojo further reported that nearly 205 trucks transporting illegally refined petroleum products were confiscated, and over 700 suspects were apprehended in connection with these activities.
The corps has also secured more than 345 convictions, with approximately 187 cases still pending in court,” he added.
