At least 150 inmates were on Thursday freed from the Maximum Security Custodial Centre Janguza in Kano State.

According to The PUNCH the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known in Kano while releasing the inmates.

Tunji-Ojo, represented by the Assistant Director in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Anayo Romanus-Nzekwe, said the release of 150 inmates out of the 4,068 nationwide was part of President Bola Tinubu’s mantra of renewed hope.

He further explained that all inmates in Custodial Centres who have fines and compensation not exceeding N1 million were qualified and would benefit from this gesture.

He said, “The Federal Government wants to decongest Custodial Centres and make them humane for proper reformation and rehabilitation of offenders to take place.

“The released inmates were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment with the option of fine and compensation and cannot afford to pay their fines and are languishing in custody.

“The sum of N13.4 million was spent in Kano state out of N585 million raised by philanthropic individuals, groups and corporate bodies, as part of their corporate social responsibility, for this purpose nationwide.’’

“We have given the inmates requisite training aimed at impacting their lives functionally and equipping them with the knowledge for their self-reliance upon discharge.’’