The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has debunked recent reports alleging that inmates across the country are being poorly fed and are dying of hunger, describing the claims as “misleading, sensational, and grossly inaccurate”.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, stated that the allegations did not reflect the realities within Nigeria’s custodial centres.
“These claims are completely false and do not reflect the actual situation in our facilities. The Federal Government provides a dedicated budget every year for the feeding of inmates, and those funds are judiciously utilised under strict supervision,” Umar stated.
He explained that all inmates are entitled to three daily meals per the operational guidelines of the NCoS, adding that the processes are closely monitored to ensure compliance.
“The idea that inmates are dying of hunger is unfounded and irresponsible. There is no record of any such incident in any of our custodial centres. It is unethical and defies logic,” he said.
Reacting to reports of journalists allegedly interviewing starving inmates, Umar dismissed the credibility of such claims, citing the high-security protocols governing access to correctional facilities.
“No one can just walk into a custodial centre, let alone carry in recording devices. Cameras and phones are strictly prohibited to prevent concealed recordings. So for anyone to claim they interviewed inmates inside a custodial facility is a complete fabrication,” Umar said.
He noted that the NCoS has a zero-tolerance policy for negligence and mismanagement of inmate welfare funds.
According to him, officers are held strictly accountable, and a multi-layered supervisory system exists at both national and state levels.
“We maintain a robust accountability system, and any officer found wanting faces disciplinary action in line with the law,” he affirmed.
Umar, while acknowledging operational challenges faced by the service like other public institutions, insisted that the service has never compromised inmate feeding arrangements.
“We are aware of the economic realities and general constraints, but these have not in any way resulted in starvation or hunger-related deaths in our facilities,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the potential consequences of such unverified reports and warned that they risk stirring public anxiety and damaging the credibility of the service.
“Journalism is a noble profession built on accuracy and responsibility. Publishing unverified and sensational stories can undermine public trust,” Umar warned, while urging media organisations to verify information with credible authorities before publication.
While highlighting the efforts of the current administration, he revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s government has significantly increased funding for inmate welfare, with the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, playing a pivotal role in prison reforms.
“When this government came in, they increased the inmate feeding allocation by 50 per cent. A panel has also been set up to further review this, and positive changes are on the way,” Umar said.
He reaffirmed the NCoS’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the welfare of inmates in line with international best practices.
“Our doors remain open to scrutiny and engagement from stakeholders, including the media, civil society organisations, and international partners. We urge the public to disregard these false reports and support our efforts to build a correctional system the nation can be proud of,” he added.
