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NCoS Refutes Claims of Starvation in Prisons, Ensures Transparency
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In response to recent allegations suggesting widespread hunger and fatalities among inmates, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has firmly denied the claims, assuring the public that feeding standards remain intact and strictly monitored across custodial centres nationwide.
Speaking with journalist in Abuja on Tuesday, the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, dismissed the reports as “sensational, misleading, and devoid of truth.” He emphasized that the welfare of inmates, including their nutrition, remains a top priority under the supervision of both state and federal authorities.
“Inmates are not starving. There is no evidence, either in our records or from any credible oversight body, suggesting that custodial centres are neglecting their duty to feed inmates adequately,” Umar stated.
He explained that the Federal Government allocates a dedicated budget annually for inmate feeding, which is judiciously managed under stringent guidelines. “Every inmate is entitled to three meals daily — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — as clearly provided for in our operational manual,” he said.
Umar further questioned the credibility of the reports, citing the strict access protocols in place at custodial facilities. He noted that no unauthorized interviews with inmates could have occurred, given that access requires multiple layers of clearance, and the use of recording devices is prohibited within the facilities.
“How does a journalist claim to have interviewed inmates in such a controlled environment without any official clearance or access?” he asked. “That alone casts doubt on the authenticity of the reports.”
To reinforce its commitment to inmate welfare, Umar said the NCoS has put in place an internal monitoring system, with officers-in-charge held accountable for the utilization of resources, especially feeding provisions. He said supervisory structures exist at both the national and state levels to maintain compliance and discipline.
“Any officer found negligent or complicit in mismanaging resources faces disciplinary action in line with our code of conduct,” he stated.
While acknowledging operational challenges, Umar maintained that such issues have not translated into hunger or starvation within correctional centres. He warned that false narratives could damage the reputation of the Service and cause undue public concern.
“We are aware of the economic situation, but it has not compromised our duty to feed or care for those in custody,” he said. “We call on media houses to verify information through the appropriate channels before publication.”
Umar highlighted the current administration’s efforts in improving the welfare of inmates, including a significant 50 percent increase in the feeding budget approved by President Bola Tinubu’s government. He also lauded the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for championing reforms in the correctional system.
“There is an ongoing review of inmate welfare and feeding programmes. Reforms are already underway and will yield even more positive changes,” he said.
He concluded by inviting civil society groups, media professionals, and international observers to visit correctional centres for independent assessments, stressing that transparency and accountability remain core to the NCoS’s operations.
“Our doors are open for oversight visits. We believe in constructive engagement that can help us do better,” Umar said. “We are not just holding inmates; we are working to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society with dignity.”
The NCoS has reiterated its commitment to international standards on inmate care and has urged the public to disregard the alarming claims, which it described as fabricated and harmful to ongoing reform efforts.
Angry protesters lockdown Ibadan, demand urgent rescue of abducted Oyo teachers, pupils
Hundreds of teachers and civil society activists marched through Ibadan on Friday, demanding immediate action to free colleagues and pupils kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area.
The protest, led by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group and the Nigeria Teachers Congress, NTC, followed the May 15 abduction of victims in Esiele and Yawota communities near Ogbomoso.
—“Do more to rescue them”—
NTC National President Rev. Bunmi Thomas told protesters the rally was lawful and necessary. “We are demanding pragmatic action from government to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students,” he said.
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While acknowledging ongoing rescue efforts, Thomas insisted more must be done: “If the government is trying and the result is not there, then efforts must be intensified.”
He raised alarm over the children’s condition: “We have kids as young as two and three years old in the bush, exposed to rain and harsh weather.”
Thomas also called for security in all public schools: “We cannot continue to work while living in danger. Government must attach security personnel to every government school.”
He stressed the protest was not against Governor Seyi Makinde: “No reasonable teacher in Oyo State is against Governor Makinde because he has performed excellently well.”
—Government responds–,
Executive Assistant on Security Matters, retired CP Sunday Odukoya, addressed protesters on behalf of the state government. “It is your constitutional right to protest and let government know your concerns,” he said, assuring that rescue operations were ongoing.
Odukoya also promised no teacher would be victimized for joining the protest.
Protesters said their only demand is the safe and swift return of the kidnapped teachers and pupils.
[ Channels TV]
A Federal Capital Territory, FCT, senatorial aspirant under the platform of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, has revealed how the primary election was allegedly manipulated by some party leaders.
Recall that the activist-turned politician contested for the FCT Senate but pulled out over alleged misconduct by officials.
In a lengthy statement detailing how the primary election was conducted, Aisha alleged that the exercise was conducted in a closed room with “predetermined outcome dressed in procedural formalities”.
She said after the exercise was “repeatedly postponed”, the venue was also “changed at the last minute”.
Aisha alleged that the “guidelines of the party were not followed. Delegate based process was introduced to be conducted at a central location instead of the direct primaries to be conducted at Local Government headquarters.
“When the moment came, the contest was not decided by delegates in the open; it was affirmed in a closed room, away from the people whose voices it was supposed to reflect.
“The party will indeed go on to release statements upon statements about the free and fair nature of the Abuja FCT primaries.
“They are entitled to their voice, but the facts that transpired when litigated by conscience and the guidelines of the electoral act do not reflect justice and fairness”.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tshoho, has transferred the suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to a new judge for an accelerated hearing.
The lawsuit, which was filed by Nafiu-Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the party, was moved from Justice Emeka Nwite to Justice Peter Lifu following Justice Nwite’s recent promotion to the Court of Appeal.
In the lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Gombe is seeking an order to stop the embattled National Chairman, Senator David Mark, National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and other members of the interim National Working Committee (NWC) from parading themselves as leaders of the ADC.
Gombe contends that the current leadership setup violates both the party’s internal constitution and the Electoral Act. The case names the ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former party chairman Ralph Nwosu as defendants.
The reassignment follows a directives from the Supreme Court, which intervened in the internal party dispute on April 30. The apex court set aside an earlier Court of Appeal order that had caused INEC to derecognize the David Mark-led faction, and instead ordered all parties back to the Federal High Court for a swift and conclusive trial.
Before the case was transferred, it had faced a series of delays. Justice Nwite had previously halted the matter indefinitely while waiting for the Supreme Court’s decision.
When the case resumed on May 8, Gombe’s legal team, led by Luka Haruna (SAN), requested that the Chief Judge reassign the case to another courtroom.
Defense lawyers representing the ADC, Mark, Aregbesola, and Nwosu strongly opposed changing judges at the time. They argued that the court should instead wait for a certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment to guide the lower court’s proceedings.
Consequently, the case was briefly paused again before the Chief Judge eventually made the decision to reassign the file to Justice Lifu.
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