As part of the efforts to decongest the correctional centres, the federal government has settled N52 million in fines and compensation for 399 inmates at various centres across Kaduna State.

The state’s correctional service comptroller, Ado Saleh, disclosed this during the inauguration of the initiative at Zaria on Monday.

Mr Saleh said, “We are here to release 68 inmates from Zaria, Makarfi, Soba and Ikara correctional centres.”

He said 110 inmates were earlier released in Kaduna, adding that the ceremony in Zaria was a continuation of the programme designed and implemented by the federal government.

“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 were from Zaria Zone,” he said.

The comptroller explained that of the 68 inmates, 43 were from Zaria, 19 were from Soba, five were from Makarfi, and 19 were from Ikara correctional centres.

He added that each beneficiary would be given N10,000 to pay as transport fare.

Earlier, Olubunmi Ojo, Minister of Interior, said the initiative was to decongest the correctional centres.

Mr Ojo, represented by John Otuka, the ministry’s assistant legal adviser, said facilities and centres across the country were overstretched.

He added that the gesture was to reduce the number of inmates at the centres and leave the rest to the judiciary to act.

Mr Ojo said no fewer than 4,068 inmates would benefit from the initiative nationwide.

While speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Solomon Atambe, a resident of Railway Quarters, Sabon-Gari-Zaria, commended the federal government for the gesture.

(NAN)