The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has disclosed that the number of repeat offenders in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dropped significantly from 11,616 in 2023 to 1,382 in 2025.
Tunji-Ojo made this known on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving the report of the investigative panel established to examine allegations against the NCoS.
According to the minister, the number of recidivists declined from 11,616 in 2023 to 3,156 in 2024 before falling further to 1,382 in 2025.
He attributed the sharp decline to the rehabilitation and reformation programmes being implemented across correctional facilities nationwide.
“Recidivism stood at 11,616 when we assumed office in 2023, but by 2025, it had reduced to 1,382. This shows that our reformation programmes are yielding positive results,” he said.
“However, we will not consider our work complete until recidivism is reduced to zero.”
The minister also revealed that 15,632 inmates were admitted into correctional facilities in May 2026, while 14,190 inmates were released under various categories of imprisonment during the same period.
Tunji-Ojo assured stakeholders that the investigative panel’s report would not be abandoned but would serve as the basis for a comprehensive implementation framework supported by a monitoring and evaluation committee.
“This report will not gather dust on the shelves. We will be very aggressive in ensuring its implementation,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to relocating correctional centres that have become engulfed by urban development and urged state governments to collaborate with the federal authorities in the exercise.
According to him, the responsibility for managing most inmates rests largely with state governments.
“When we talk about sharing assets, we should also discuss sharing liabilities. About 90 per cent of inmates are state offenders, while 67 per cent are awaiting trial,” he noted.
Tunji-Ojo further disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved a 50 per cent increase in inmates’ feeding allowances, adding that the increment had already taken effect.
He called on civil society organisations and Nigerians to monitor the implementation of the policy and hold correctional authorities accountable.
“It is now the responsibility of civil society and all Nigerians to ensure accountability regarding inmate feeding. President Bola Tinubu has approved the increase, and the Ministry of Finance has commenced disbursement,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, disclosed that the investigative panel visited 86 custodial centres across 23 states during its assignment.
Freedomonline reports that the panel was constituted following investigations in 2024 involving cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
