As part of activities marking the 2027 Democracy Day celebration, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has facilitated the release of 12 inmates from the Koton-Karfe Medium Security Custodial Centre by settling their minor bail conditions.
The gesture was carried out during a Democracy Day outreach programme led by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aridaojo Anyebe, who represented the state government at the custodial facility.
Speaking during the visit on Thursday, Anyebe said the outreach was aimed at restoring hope and demonstrating that the dividends of democracy should extend to all citizens, including those serving various custodial terms.
He noted that both the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the Kogi State Government remain committed to inclusiveness, compassion, and social justice, stressing that inmates should not be abandoned by society.
According to the commissioner, the 12 beneficiaries were unable to secure their freedom due to minor financial bail conditions. He explained that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development stepped in to settle the required fees to facilitate their release.
“This intervention is intended to give these individuals another opportunity to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society. Democracy is about hope, justice, and giving people a second chance where possible,” Anyebe said.
Beyond securing the release of the inmates, the ministry also donated skills acquisition materials to the custodial centre to strengthen vocational training programmes and support rehabilitation efforts.
Anyebe urged inmates to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire practical skills that would enable them to become self-reliant during and after their incarceration.
He also commended the management and personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service at Koton-Karfe for their professionalism and dedication to rehabilitation programmes, assuring them of continued government support.
The Officer-in-Charge of the custodial centre, Superintendent Emmanuel Dangana, expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo for the intervention, describing it as unprecedented and highly encouraging for both inmates and staff.
Dangana noted that the payment of bail conditions and donation of vocational materials would significantly boost ongoing rehabilitation efforts at the facility.
A counselling physician, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ayo-Jimoh, delivered a motivational lecture on value reorientation and character development, urging inmates to embrace discipline, integrity, forgiveness, and resilience as part of their rehabilitation journey.
She said genuine transformation begins with a change of mindset, encouraging inmates to use their time in custody for self-improvement and personal growth.
Representatives of stakeholder groups, including government officials, members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, and executives of the National Association of Kogi State Students, also addressed the inmates, urging them to remain hopeful and committed to rehabilitation programmes.
Speaking on behalf of the inmates, their spokesperson expressed gratitude to Governor Ododo and the ministry, describing the intervention as one that had rekindled hope among those who felt forgotten.
He said the release of the 12 inmates and the donation of empowerment materials had restored confidence in government’s commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration.