388 JAILED TRAFFICKERS TO REGAIN FREEDOM

Minna

Strong indications have emerged that no fewer than 388 women who were
sentenced to 40 years imprisonment for drug trafficking to Thailand may be
released by the federal government.

The drug pushers who have spent between 10 and 14 years in jail were
initially convicted by the Thailand authorities for the offence, and were
subsequently sentenced to death but they have been extradited to Nigeria and
the penalty was commuted to life imprisonment and later to 40 years jail
term.

The Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Tanko, dropped
the hint when he paid a familiarisation visit to the Minna Medium Security
Prison in Niger State, where 55 of the convicts are serving their jail
terms.

The minister who was in Minna as part of his familiarisation tour of federal
parastatals and agencies under the Ministry of Internal Affairs conceded
that the state comptroller of the Nigeria Prisons Service has so far
forwarded the case of the women to the national headquarters for proper
consideration.

"Immediately I get back I will pursue the issue so that those who spend 10
years and above could be given pardon," he said.

Alhaji Tanko affirmed that other inmates, who are awaiting trial and who
have also spent 10 years and above will benefit from the gesture.

The spokesperson of the convicts, Ms Tabitha Yatu, told newsmen that they
passed through several difficulties in the hands of the Thailand authorities
before they were handed over to the Nigerian authorities.

Commenting on the threat made by the junior staff of the Nigeria Customs
Service to embark on strike over non-payment of some allowances, the
minister dispelled such fear, saying, the federal government has approved N1
billion to settle the debts owed the prisons staff.