The Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) on Thursday released 100 inmates from the Kirikiri Medium Security Prison that had satisfied the laid down conditions.
Mr Tunde Ladipo, Controller of Prison Lagos State, said that the inmates were arrested on various offences ranging from street trading, wondering and some as miscreants on different streets in Lagos State.
According to Ladipo, some churches and individuals collaborated and settled the various fines meted out to the inmates.
“Some churches and individuals wrote to the NPS that they wanted to be providing food to the inmates.
“I advised them that since the inmates were given an option of fine, it was better to pay for them in order to avoid prison congestion.
“Most of them committed minor offences such as street trading and wondering in different areas in Lagos.
“Our officers have been having sleepless nights to ensure that the 100 inmates are released,” Ladipo said.
He warned the inmates not to be found in a crime-prone areas where they would be arrested again, and encouraged them to find something doing and be self reliant
Pastor Taiwo Olaoye, representative of the church, said that they had arranged buses that would transport the inmates to a particular place where they would be taught about morals and good behavior.
Taiwo said the churches had also planned to enroll them in a skilled acquisition programme to make them useful members of the society.
He said stipends would be given to those of them who came from far places to enable them to return home. (NAN)