NCoS spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, made this known on Friday, noting that the last execution was in 2016 in Edo State by the former governor, Adam Oshiomole.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has stated that the executive governors have not signed the death warrants of inmates on death row for executions, across the custodial centres in recent times.

NCoS spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, made this known on Friday, noting that the last execution was in 2016 in Edo State by the former governor, Adam Oshiomole.

He explained that as of April 15, 2024, a total of 3,504 inmates were on death row, comprising 73 females and 3,431 males, adding that due to the advocacies of human rights groups and other civil society organisations, there is a moratorium on the execution of death sentences in Nigeria. 

Umar stated that human rights groups are campaigning for the abolishment of the execution of death sentences around the world, and Nigeria is not an exception.

According to him, rehabilitation and reformatory programmes were extended to these inmates, including skill empowerment and academic opportunities.

He said, The last execution was in 2016 in Edo State by the former governor, Adam Oshiomole.

The issue of the execution of death sentences is an international issue that is generating a lot of brouhaha. Presently, due to the advocacies of human rights groups and other civil society organisations, there is a moratorium on the execution of death sentences in Nigeria. Human rights groups are campaigning for the abolishment of the execution of death sentences around the world, and Nigeria is not an exception.

There has been no inmate on death row that has been executed in the last year. However, that does not mean that the execution of death sentences has been expunged from our criminal justice system. It is still there in our statutes and books, but the executive must sign their death warrants before we can carry out executions, and this is not forthcoming in recent times.

As of April 15, 2024, we have a total of 3,504 individuals in our facilities nationwide, consisting of 73 females and 3,431 males. 

Just last Saturday, a good number of them graduated from the National Open University of Nigeria as graduates and postgraduate degree holders. Some of them, in the long run, actually change from their old ways and become well-behaved and industrious. Some of them who fall into this category are recommended by us for clemency or pardon." 

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