Lagos State officials have decried the unacceptable state of congestion in the state’s seven correctional institutions, emphasizing the urgent need for strategic solutions to tackle this long-standing challenge and ensure a safer, more humane environment for all.
The correctional facilities are bursting at the seams, with a staggering 103% overcapacity, forcing them to house over 9,600 inmates beyond their intended limit, a crisis that demands immediate attention and action.
On Wednesday, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, revealed this information while showcasing the impressive accomplishments of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration through the ministry over the past year.
Pedro disclosed that the Badagry Custodial Centre, with a intended capacity of 320 inmates, is presently housing an alarming 508 inmates, a stark illustration of the facility’s severe overcrowding.
After conducting a thorough examination of the seven correctional centres, the Lagos government has sounded the alarm about the dire state of overcrowding within these facilities, highlighting the imperative for swift and effective interventions.
The Attorney-General further stated that the Lekki area of the state tops the locations where offences were committed, accounting for 13 per cent of the offences, followed by Ikorodu, Oshodi-Isolo, Apapa, and Ojo with 10 per cent of the offences each.
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Pedro highlighted that the seven facilities, originally built to hold 4,757 inmates, are currently grappling with an overwhelming population of 9,691, a stark reminder of the state’s pressing need for effective solutions to address its correctional challenges.
Pedro said, “The Ikoyi Custodial Centre has a capacity for 800 inmates, but about 3311 inmates are housed there, while the Kirikiri Female Custodial Centre has a capacity for 271 inmates, but 310 inmates are living there.
“The Kirikiri Medium Custodial Centre has a capacity for 1940 inmates, but 2949 inmates are staying there, while the Kirikiri Maximum Custodial Centre has a capacity for 1056 inmates, but 2017 inmates are housed there.
“The Oregun Correction Centre has a capacity for 120 inmates, but 88 inmates are staying there, while the Borstal Training Institute has a capacity for 250 inmates, but 507 inmates are housed there.”
The commissioner reported that a substantial 21,048 persons were taken into custody for theft, accompanied by 2,127 others arrested for murder and homicide, a sobering reminder of the imperative for proactive crime prevention and community policing initiatives.
He added that “7044 persons were arrested for breach of peace, 406 for kidnapping-related offences, 2231 for defilement/rape/sex-related crimes, 2739 for assault, 4518 for armed robbery, 1776 for robbery-related offences, 1191 for drug-related crimes, 2615 for unlawful society/cultism, and 1714 for a felony.”
The Attorney-General identified Lekki as the epicentre of criminal activity, accounting for a substantial 13% of all offences, with Ikorodu, Oshodi-Isolo, Apapa, and Ojo emerging as other high-crime areas, each responsible for 10% of the total offences.