Following this newspaper’ recent exposé on the inhumane conditions at the Jos Custodial Centre in Plateau State, top prison officials have reportedly called internal meetings and disclosed that a delegation from the federal government is expected to visit the facility for an assessment.
This newspaper on Sunday published disturbing revelations from sources within the correctional centre, exposing systemic deprivation, denial of medical care, brutality by prison officials, and the chronic lack of basic necessities like food and water.
The report included photographs showing visibly substandard meals—primarily watery beans—being served to inmates, allegedly without meat or fish for over a year.
In response to the report, sources within the prison confirmed that the Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), the officer in charge of the yard, and the prison controller held emergency meetings in anticipation of the federal government visitors. However, concerns have been raised that the visit is being manipulated, with selected inmates being coached to present a sanitised version of reality.
“The DCC and other top officials called meetings yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday). They said some visitors are coming because of the food issue reported in the news,” one source told this newspaper.
“But the problem is, they want to handpick inmates to speak with the visitors. It’s all staged. If the visit is to be credible, it must be spontaneous and open.”
The source added that the prison atmosphere has become increasingly tense since the story broke. “We can’t rest. There have been constant searches, morning and night. They are clearly rattled.”
This newspaper also gathered that corruption and ethnic bias plague the facility. Inmates claim donations from welfare organisations often vanish without a trace, and that individuals from the Langtang ethnic group in Plateau State dominate top positions and punitive authority in the yard.
“They’ve been panicking since the story came out. The staff, especially those from Langtang, who are notorious for beating and punishing inmates, are restless,” said one source. “They’ve now promised some inmate leaders that there will be positive changes.”
In reaction to the investigation, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), in a press statement dated May 4, 2024, and signed by Deputy Controller of Corrections Umar Abubakar, denied the allegations, accusing unnamed individuals and interest groups of “recycling outdated narratives” to incite public discontent.
The NCoS claimed that the feeding system in correctional centres is transparent and monitored by internal and external watchdogs, including civil society organisations and the Ministry of Interior. “Inmates are provided with meals that meet the nutritional requirements recommended by health professionals and monitored routinely by the ration committee set up by the Controller General of Corrections,” the statement read.
Citing provisions of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, the agency insisted it adheres to strict welfare guidelines, including feeding, healthcare, and overall well-being of inmates. It also revealed that the federal government recently increased the daily feeding allowance to ₦1,125 per inmate.
“This adjustment is aimed at ensuring that inmates receive adequate and nutritious meals in line with acceptable welfare standards,” it stated.
Despite the official denial, inmates and their advocates insist that the real conditions remain dire and are calling for an unfiltered, independent investigation into the state of custodial centres across the country.
Source: Sahara Reporters
