Fifteen inmates have been released from the Malumfashi Satellite Custodial Centre in Katsina.
The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, who made the announcement, said the release was sponsored by Dr Olabinmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior.
Nababa, represented by the Controller of Corrections, Katsina Command, Mr Abdulmumin-Haruna, said the inmates were those on minor offences.
“I commend the minister for this laudable initiative aimed at putting smiles on the faces of freed inmates.
“This is the first of its kind in the country and will go a long way in reducing overcrowding in custodial centres.”
Nababa urged inmates who did not benefit from the gesture not to view their confinement as the end of their lives.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of N10,000 each to the freed inmates to ease transportation to their respective homes.
In their comments, the released detainees expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and centre officials, promising not to repeat the crimes they had committed.