FG To Stop Feeding State Inmates In 2024

The Federal Government of Nigeria has said it would stop feeding state offenders in custodial centres nationwide from January 1, 2024.

It added that state governments must include the feeding of their inmates in federal facilities in their budgets till they can build their facilities.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Command Headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Owerri on Friday, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola said over 90 percent of inmates in custodial facilities across the nation are state offenders, stating that state governments must take responsibility for their inmates.

These were contained in a statement issued on Friday by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure.

The statement partly read, “One big challenge we have at Corrections is congestion, especially at the urban centres where the population density is high and human relations are more complex, leading to higher crime rate and the need to keep some people behind bars. But we are addressing this challenge with the construction of six mega custodial centres in the six geopolitical zones of the country. The ones in Kano and Abuja are ready and with regular funding, the remaining will be completed.

“It is also hoped that State Governments will take advantage of the constitutional amendment recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari which makes corrections a concurrent affair. It is on record that more than 90 per cent of inmates in our facilities are state offenders. It is important therefore that State Governments begin to invest in corrections.

“The Federal Government will stop feeding state inmates by December 31, 2023. Furthermore, by January 1, 2024, the Federal Government will stop feeding state inmates kept in federal facilities. State governments must now start budgeting for feeding their inmates in federal facilities while we wait for them to build their facilities.”