There are indications that the number of prison inmates awaiting execution across the country has hit 2,277, according to findings. It was also gathered that the number of awaiting trial inmates now stood at 48,702, with the total population of inmates rising to 71,443. It will be recalled that as at December 2016, the condemned inmates’ population stood at 1,440.

The implication is that, between December 2016 and now, an additional 837 suspected criminals had been sentenced to death. A senior security source, who spoke in confidence on the development, expressed worry on the increase. According to the source, the rise in the number of inmates on death row was a potential threat to prisons security in particular and national security in general. He explained that considering their fate, the condemned inmates have the potential of instigating security breaches of whatever form, knowing that no punishment could be worse than what stares them in the face.

“After enquiry, I can tell you that the current population of inmates on death row is 2,277.

“There is an increase of over 800 between December 2016 and now, and this calls for worry. “I say this because intelligence had revealed in the past, that they (condemned inmates) may have masterminded some past jailbreaks and other breaches,” the source said. Asked to disclose the total inmate population, he said: “The total population of inmates in prisons across the country is 71,443, out of which 48,702 are awaiting trial.”

In Ogun State, no fewer than 254 inmates are on death row. As at last year, 90 inmates in Kaduna Prisons had been condemned to death for offences ranging from murder, armed robbery to rape. In Lagos, 202 inmates are on death row while there are 179 condemned inmates in Enugu Prison. On the way out, the source maintained that: “First, let governors be courageous enough to endorse death warrants for eventual execution of those whose appeals have ran out.

“In the alternative, the National Assembly could initiate amendment to the constitution, to possibly remove capital punishment therefrom.”

The Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Prisons Service, Mr. Francis Enobore, a Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, confirmed the report in a text message.

•Excerpted from a New Telegraph report.