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The Lagos State Government pardoned and released 30 prisoners, according to confirmation from the Lagos Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service on Saturday.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, Mr. Rotomi Oladokun, the NCoS Lagos Command spokesperson, verified the release.

Oladokun said that Justice Kazeem Alogba, the state’s chief judge, had pardoned the prisoners.

“The inmates released are those who committed minor offences such as assault, disorderliness, low-level shoplifting, road traffic offences, theft, and burglary, among others.

“There is, however, a need to free more inmates as the state custodial facilities are housing over 8000 inmates, which is above their capacities,” Oladokun said.

Oladokun urged the state government to use its judicial system to search the inmate database and determine whether any other prisoners may be released. Additionally, he encouraged Nigerians to welcome the released prisoners and assist them in reintegrating into society.

The National Executive Council (NEC) has agreed on palliative measures for Nigerians following the elimination of the petrol subsidy and the recent increase in petrol prices to up to N617/liter.

The decision was made at a meeting held on Thursday in the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja.

The meeting, which was chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has in attendance governors of the 36 states of the Federation, the Director General of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, as well as stakeholders from the World Bank and other agencies of government.

NEC also considered integrity tests on state social registers, cash transfers would be done via state social registers subject to state peculiarities.

During the meeting, government officials were urged to reduce the cost of governance in their various spheres. This is even as the Federal Government initiated a six-month cash award policy for public servants.

Food items grains and fertilizers are to be distributed by state governments at the rate acquired from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and states are urged to double down on energy transition plans in the transport sector.

This is the second meeting of the Council and it is expected to deliberate on the reviewed palliative package for Nigerians following the removal of petrol subsidy as well as the hike in fuel price.

President Bola Tinubu had unveiled his administration’s plan for a monthly N8,000 transfer to 12 million of the poorest households in the country for six months, in a bid to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.

The plan was contained in a letter read last Thursday on the floor of the House of Representatives regarding the $800 million loan request of the previous Muhammadu Buhari administration for a social safety net programme.

But days after the announcement, the Federal Government said it will review the move following the backlash it generated among Nigerians.