The Federal Government has successfully decongested correctional facilities by releasing over 4,000 inmates, resulting in significant savings of approximately N1 billion in feeding costs. This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the 5th Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo explained that the initiative aimed to identify detainees incarcerated for minor offenses, enabling their swift release. “We decongested our correctional centres by five percent last year,” he stated, highlighting that over 4,082 inmates were released in just one day. This effort was primarily focused on those held due to petty fines, demonstrating a commitment to reforming the justice system.

In addition to the release of inmates, the minister reported on the actions taken by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, which destroyed over 2,125 illegal refineries and oil dumps across Nigeria in 2024. The squad also seized close to 205 trucks carrying illegally refined petroleum products and arrested more than 700 suspects involved in these activities.

Tunji-Ojo noted that the squad secured 345 convictions, with an additional 187 cases still pending in court, further emphasizing the government’s determination to combat illegal activities in the oil sector.