The Nigerian Correctional Service, Niger State Command, has debunked claims that 8 of the inmates in its facility died as a result of hunger or underfeeding.
The spokesman of the command, Chief Superintendent of Corrections, Rabiu Shuaibu, in a statement, said the report is false, ill-motivated, and aimed at causing panic in the society.
He added “The command wishes to clearly state that, there was no single death recorded in any of its facilities as a result of underfeeding ding. For a reason best known to the writer, he could not verify his claim before dishing out the story to the public which has created unnecessary panic in the society”.
Shuaibu further explained that the feeding ratio of inmates has never been compromised in the correctional facilities despite the current economic hardship and hike in prices of food items.
According to him, ” The Nigeria Correctional Service appreciates the commitment of the federal and state governments, the Chief Judge of Niger state, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, the wife of the state Governor, Fatima Bago, towards providing enhanced welfare for inmates”.
While appreciating the Governor’s wife for her recent visit to the old Minna Custodial center during which she donated 20 bags of rice and 30 bags of maize to augment the inmate ratio, the CPRO advised the public to disregard claims in the fabricated report that the first lady donated 250 bags of rice and 250 bags of maize at the event.
He explained that the correctional facilities have functional water tankers that supply adequate water daily to inmates, adding that, the service treats all inmates in its custody in line with global best practices, saying no inmate goes outside the facility to fetch water as claimed in the fabricated story.
He called on journalists to verify their claim before rushing to the media and implored them to always join hands with the service to ensure peace and security of the country.
(EDITOR: TIENABESO BIBIYE)
