The Nigerian Correctional Service's Lagos Command reported on Saturday that the Lagos State Government has pardoned and freed 30 convicts.
Mr Rotomi Oladokun, the spokesman for the NCoS Lagos Command, confirmed the release in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
According to Oladokun, the detainees were pardoned by the state's Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba.
"Those released are those who have committed minor offenses such as assault, disorderliness, low-level shoplifting, traffic violations, theft, and burglary, among others.""However, there is a need to release more inmates because the state custodial facilities are housing over 8000 inmates, which exceeds their capacity," Oladokun stated.
Oladokun called on the state government to use its justice system to check the database of inmates to see if more inmates could be released. He also urged Nigerians to accept the freed inmates and help them reintegrate back into society.