Ogun, Rivers lead in number of inmates on death row – Correctional Service
Ogun, Rivers lead in number of inmates on death row – Correctional Service
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has reported a total of 3,833 inmates on death row across custodial centres nationwide, out of a total inmate population of 81,558.
This was revealed on Wednesday in Abuja by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Controller Abubakar Umar. He also refuted recent media reports from some online platforms claiming that Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos States have the highest numbers of inmates on death row, with figures of 1,300, 1,250, and 2,055 respectively.
He said that the available statistics by the NCoS presently show that Ogun, Rivers, Enugu, Lagos, and Delta States have the highest number of inmates sentenced to death.
He also said that Osun, Ebonyi, Oyo, Kogi, and Anambra States recorded the lowest figures in the same category.
He added that Ogun State tops the list with 568 death row inmates, followed by Rivers with 504, Enugu with 328, Lagos with 314, and Delta with 256.
At the lower end, he noted that Osun State currently had no death row inmates, while Ebonyi and Oyo States have two each, Kogi three, and Anambra four.
He explained that the disparities may be linked to varying crime rates, judicial processes, and the administrative actions of state governments, particularly the signing of death warrants or approval of clemency requests.
The SPRO highlighted that the management of inmates on death row presents serious challenges for the Service, especially in terms of congestion and financial pressure on the Federal Government.
Umar, however, said that the Service classified inmates based on their legal status. Hence, inmates were classified as Awaiting Trial, Short-term Convicts, Long-term Convicts, Lifers, Inmates on Death Row, Debtors, Female, Juveniles, among others.
“As at Tuesday, July 22, 2025, death row inmates are 3,833 nationwide, which make up about five per cent of the entire prison population.
“Out of this number, 3,754 are males, while 79 are females.
Out of the total inmate population, 24,252 inmates—representing 29 percent—have been convicted nationwide. Of this number, 23,725 are male, while 457 are female.
Additionally, there are 53,473 inmates awaiting trial across the country, comprising 52,066 males and 1,407 females, accounting for approximately 66 percent of the total. This brings the overall number of inmates in custody across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to 81,558.
When asked about the number of hangmen available to the Service, Deputy Controller and Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, declined to comment. He explained that many state governments have established prerogative of mercy committees to periodically review cases of convicted inmates. According to him, a number of those on death row have benefited from such reviews and are now making positive contributions to society.
Umar also emphasized that the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) actively engages inmates on death row through educational and vocational training programs.
“The Service does not allow them to remain idle or hopeless under the label of a death sentence,” he added.
