The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has disagreed with the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and disclaimed a recent report that inmates across custodial centres in the country were poorly.

Contrary to the current parlous conditions of the correctional centres, the Service, through its national spokesman, Abubakar Umar, said that the publication was a recycled piece aimed at making ruckus where none exists.

It further said it operates under strict guidelines as provided by the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019, which mandates the provision of adequate nutrition, healthcare, and general welfare for all inmates.

“Inmates are provided with meals that meet the nutritional requirements recommended by health professionals and monitored routinely by the ration committee set up by the Controller General of Corrections. Our menu plans are standardised and reviewed periodically to align with evolving health standards and budgetary provisions,” he said.

Umar pointed out that the “recent approval and increase in the daily feeding allowance for inmates in custodial centres from the previous rate of N750 to N1,125 for each inmate per day is aimed at ensuring that they receive adequate and nutritious meals in line with acceptable welfare standards, as this is a reflection of government’s commitment to the humane treatment of persons in custody and the broader reforms being implemented within the NCoS to uphold dignity of human rights and international best practices.

“The general public is assured that the Service remains committed to upholding the rights and dignity of all inmates in line with international best practices. The Service urges members of the public and the media to verify information before dissemination and avoid sensationalism that undermines the hard work of our personnel as well as the integrity of the Service.”

However, HURIWA described as heartless and disgusting the NCoS’ claim that media reports on poor feeding of inmates as false. The National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated that the statement coming from officials of the Service was a confirmation that the inmates were malnourished and underfed by the government.

He said: “We at the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria totally disagree with the hierarchy of the Nigeria Correctional Centre for saying that the increased sum of N1,250 or so per day as the feeding allowance for each inmate is good.

“This is so heartless and disgusting to hear someone say such a thing at a time that the cost of living crisis has escalated to a level that food stuffs are way out of the reach of most people due to inflation and the floating of the exchange rate of the country’s currency compared to the dollar or other global currencies.”

Onwubiko insisted that the amount mentioned as daily feeding allowance for inmates was so meagre, adding that it “isn’t even enough to feed a dog once a day.”