The Federal Government has said it would stop feeding state offenders in custodial centres across the country 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 more than 90 per cent of inmates in custodial facilities across the nation are state offenders, noting that state governments must take responsibility for their inmates.
These were contained in a statement on Friday by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure.
He also advised state governments to fully optimise the recently signed constitutional amendment to improve the condition of inmates in custodial facilities across the country.
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.
