By Ibironke Ariyo
The Nigeria Correctional Officers’ Wives Association (NICOWA), in partnership with the Sisters of Virtue Association, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), successfully secured the release of five male inmates.
NICOWA’s President, Mrs Victoria Nwakuche, made the announcement in a statement by the Service’s Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Abubakar Umar, on Friday in Abuja.
Nwakuche said that the five inmates, from the old Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre in Nasarawa State, regained their freedom after a humanitarian effort that paid off their fines.
She made this disclosure during a visit to the facility, marking World International Women’s Day, and emphasised that the release was in recognition of the inmates’ exemplary behaviour while incarcerated.
“The two organisations decided to support the government’s effort at decongesting custodial centres by securing the release of five inmates.
“The criteria for selection were based primarily on good behaviour, among other factors,” Nwakuche said.
She further explained that, in addition to distributing food and supplies to the inmates during their visits, the association also sough opportunities to help reduce overcrowding by assisting in the release of deserving inmates.
“We believe that if we release one today and one tomorrow, it will gradually reduce the number of inmates, and that’s part of our mission,” she added.
Nwakuche urged the freed inmates to embrace a new path, become responsible citizens, and avoid behaviors that could lead them back to prison.
She also commended Muhammed Barau, the Officer In Charge, and Ibrahim Yau, the State Controller, for their exceptional management of the facility, encouraging them to continue their excellent work and commitment to the prison’s improvement.
