CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
The Lagos State Government has revealed that the capacity of the seven correctional and custodial centres in the state has been overstretched by 104 percent and armed robbery topped the list of crimes being committed in the State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports as was disclosed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), at the ongoing Ministerial briefing to mark the first year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
He explained that the correctional centers were housing 9691 inmates instead of 4757 and stated that the Ikoyi Correctional Centre alone is overstretched by 300 per cent.
He stated that the Badagry Custodial Centre has a capacity for 320 inmates, but 508 inmates are currently staying in the centre. He added that 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.
Pedro further said that 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.
He also explained that 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 Honourable Commissioner stated that about 21048 persons were arrested for stealing, while 2127 were arrested for murder and homicide while 7044 persons were arrested for breach of peace, 406 for kidnapping-related offenses, 2231 for defilement/rape/sex-related crimes, 2739 for assault, 4518 for armed robbery, 1776 for robbery-related offenses, 1191 for drug-related crimes, 2615 for unlawful society/cultism, and 1714 for felony.
Pedro also 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.