Federal Government has cleared N52 million fines and compensation for 399 inmates at various correctional centres across Kaduna State as part of measures to decongest the facilities.
The Kaduna State Comptroller of Correctional Services, Dr Ado Saleh disclosed this on Monday in Zaria.
Saleh said: “We are here to release 68 inmates from Zaria, Makarfi, Soba, and Ikara Correctional Centres”.
He said that 110 inmates had previously been released in Kaduna, and the ceremony in Zaria was a continuation of the Federal Government’s program.
“In total, 399 inmates in Kaduna State were marked to be released at the cost of N52 million.
“The commencement of the programme is simultaneously taking place at Kaduna, Kafanchan, and Zaria to see the release of 281 across the State.
“Of the 281 to be released across Kaduna State during the ceremony, 68 inmates were from Zaria Zone”, he added.
According to the comptroller, 43 of the 68 convicts were from Zaria, 19 from Soba, 5 from Makarfi, and 19 from Ikara correctional centres.
He also stated that each beneficiary would be paid N10,000 to cover transportation costs.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Ojo, highlighted that the initiative aims to decongest the Correctional Centers by paying the fines and compensations for inmates who owed amounts ranging from one Thousand Naira to one million Naira.
Crediblenews.ng
