Kirikiri Prison Overpopulated by 1,853 Inmates

By Shola Oyeyipo

An appeal was yesterday sent to relevant authorities and the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led Lagos State Government to help intervene in de-congesting the over populated Kirikiri Prison in Apapa, Lagos.

Making the appeal during a prison de-congestion initiative commemorating the 55th birthday of the Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the Deputy Comptroller of Prison and Head, Medium Security Prison, Kirikiri, Apapa,   Olawanyi Emmanuel, said whereas the prison capacity is 1,700, there are currently 3,553 inmates.

According to him, “The prison facility is dangerously overstretched. Lagos State, which is responsible for most of the inmates is not showing enough concern. The inmates live as slaves and the medical personnel is nothing to talk about.”

Gbajabiamila, as part of activities marking his birthday and the Sallah celebration, had facilitated the release of 40 selected inmates of Kirikiri Medium Security Prison with various charges.

Commending the lawmaker’s initiative, Emmanuel added that the inmates and the entire prison environment need government attention so that