The Nigerian Senate has castigated the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) for its dismal treatment of inmates in its facilities nationwide. During the 2024 budget defense organized by the Joint Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomole, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, expressed profound disappointment over the deplorable conditions endured by inmates.
Addressing the delegation of the NCoS led by the Comptroller General, Haliru Nababa, Senator Oshiomole decried the inhumane treatment of prisoners, emphasizing that despite the rebranding from “prison” to “correctional,” the service continues to subject inmates to substandard living conditions. He pointed out that the government’s meager allocation to the agency is a contributing factor to the dehumanizing treatment meted out to inmates.
In a passionate rebuke, Senator Oshiomole challenged the Comptroller General, stating, “It’s not just your fault because the government appropriates little money for you, but it is either that you don’t feed these prisoners or you feed them only once, and even at that, very miserable food… how can you look us eye to eye and tell us that you feed a man in Nigeria awaiting trial or even committed an offense with N750 a day, how much is a bottle of water.”
The committee further emphasized its stance, vowing not to expedite the approval of the agency’s budget until satisfactory explanations and corrective measures are provided. Senator Oshiomole demanded a detailed breakdown of the number of inmates, the manner in which they are fed, as well as the allocation for security dogs within the facilities.
In response, the Comptroller General revealed that the NCoS currently detains 81,358 inmates, with 53,362 of them awaiting trial. He disclosed that each inmate is allocated N750 daily for food, equating to N250 for each meal, three times a day. Additionally, it was disclosed that the organization maintains 900 security dogs, with a daily feeding cost of N800 per dog.
The session also brought to light the deficiency in medical and veterinary care within the facilities. Senator Ireti Kingibe inquired about the availability of medical and veterinary professionals to tend to the inmates and dogs. The Comptroller General disclosed the presence of 75 medical doctors and consultants, along with six veterinary doctors responsible for healthcare and oversight across various locations.
Emphasizing the dire need for increased support, the Comptroller General appealed to the lawmakers for advocacy in securing an augmentation of the daily feeding allowance for inmates. Nababa implored, “We want this committee to assist us in putting in words for us.”
The joint sitting was attended by esteemed lawmakers including Senator Francis Fadahunsi, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, and others, underscoring the significance of the matter at hand.
As the Senate takes a firm stand against the NCoS, the spotlight is now on the imminent reforms and corrective actions expected within the Nigerian Correctional Services.
