The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has denied claims that inmates are poorly fed, and described the reports as “false, misleading, and a gross misrepresentation” of conditions within its custodial centres.
The NCoS spokesman, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Abubakar Umar, on Sunday, dismissed the allegations as a recycled narrative intended to stir public outrage without basis in fact.
“This publication is not new, it is a recycled piece pushed forward to create a ruckus where none exists,” Umar stated in a statement on Sunday, and stressed that the NCoS had similarly debunked such claims in a live interview with TVC News on September 1, 2024.
Umar reiterated the Service’s commitment to inmates’ welfare, noting that feeding practices adhere strictly to the provisions of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, which mandates the provision of adequate nutrition and healthcare.
“Inmates are provided with meals that meet nutritional requirements as recommended by health professionals,” Umar said, adding that a ration committee supervised by the Controller General of Corrections routinely monitors the meals.
He also highlighted a recent government intervention to improve welfare standards, “In response to economic realities and rising inflation, the Federal Government has approved an increase in the daily feeding allowance for inmates to N1,125 per day. This adjustment underscores a commitment to humane treatment and upholding international best practices.”
Umar stressed that oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure transparency.
“Feeding operations are not carried out in secrecy. Oversight bodies, including the Ministry of Interior, civil society organizations, and international partners, routinely assess our facilities. None of their recent findings support the dehumanizing portrayal circulated by certain individuals or interest groups,” Umar noted.
The Service insists that it remain committed to improving inmate welfare which aligns with global standards.
“The general public is assured that the Service remains steadfast in upholding the rights and dignity of all inmates,” Umar added.
This is not the first time the NCoS has had to counter allegations of poor inmate treatment.
In September 2024, the Service addressed similar accusations, insisting then, as now—that its operations are guided by legal mandates and subjected to continuous independent scrutiny.
