NEWS
No Inmate is Starving, Feeding Standards Maintained — NCoS Spokesman
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed reports alleging that inmates were being poorly fed and dying of hunger in custodial centres across the country.
Reacting to the claims in an interview on Tuesday in Abuja, the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Abubakar Umar, said the reports were “misleading, sensational, and grossly inaccurate.
”Umar stressed that the claims, which were completely untrue, do not reflect the actual situation in the country’s custodial facilities.
He explained that the Federal Government makes dedicated budgetary provisions every year for the feeding of inmates, and that the funds were judiciously utilised under strict supervision and guidelines.
He explained that each inmate was entitled to three meals daily — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — as stipulated in the operational guidelines of the Service.
According to Umar, all custodial centres are governed by operational procedures that ensure the proper and timely feeding of all inmates.
“The Federal Government allocates funds specifically for the feeding of inmates, and the process is strictly monitored to ensure compliance with established standards.
“The allegation that inmates are dying of hunger is unfounded. There is no record in any of our custodial centres that inmates are being starved or dying because of inadequate feeding.
“It is completely false to insinuate that inmates are left to starve or that hunger is leading to deaths within our facilities.
“We want to assure the public that inmates are properly fed and their welfare remains a top priority for the Nigerian Correctional Service,” he said.
The service spokesman noted that the report was not only unethical but also defied logic, given the tight security measures and restricted access to correctional centres.
Umar said that entry into correctional centres was governed by strict protocols requiring written applications, approval from the Officer-in-Charge, and in some cases, clearance from the Controller-General.
“I wonder how a journalist could claim to have interviewed inmates inside a custodial facility. These are high-security zones where you can’t just walk in, let alone carry recording devices.
“Even cameras and mobile phones are prohibited because of the risk of concealed recording. So, for anyone to say they interviewed inmates inside a custodial centre is nothing but a fabrication,” he added.
Umar emphasised that the NCoS had strengthened its internal monitoring mechanisms to ensure the proper use of resources meant for inmates’ welfare, including the feeding programme.
He said that the officers in charge of custodial centres were held accountable, and there was a supervisory system at the national and state levels to ensure that the approved standards were maintained.
He pointed out that the NCoS had a zero-tolerance policy for negligence or mismanagement relating to the welfare of inmates.
“We maintain a robust accountability system. Any officer found wanting in the discharge of their duties faces appropriate disciplinary measures in line with the law, “he added.
While acknowledging that the service, like many other public institutions, faces operational challenges, Umar maintained that such challenges have not compromised the feeding arrangements for inmates.
Umar, however, expressed concern that such unfounded reports could create unnecessary public anxiety and tarnish the image of the service.
“We are not oblivious to the economic realities and general constraints, but these have not in any way translated to starvation or hunger-related deaths in our facilities.
“We urge media organisations to always seek clarification from credible sources before going to press.
“Journalism is a noble profession that thrives on accuracy and responsibility. Publishing unverified and sensational stories can undermine public trust.”
“We expect the media to seek clarification from appropriate authorities before rushing to publish such sensitive stories that can mislead the public, “he said.
According to him, the current administration of President Bola Tinubu had significantly improved funding for inmate welfare and custodial infrastructure.
He added that the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had also shown deep commitment to reforming the correctional system.
“When this government came in, they looked into the issue of inmate feeding and increased the allocation by 50 percent. That was the first step toward improving the welfare of those in our custody, and it is subject to further review.
“We have a minister who is passionate and working round the clock. A panel has been set up to further review inmate feeding, and I am confident that positive changes are on the horizon,” he said.
Umar reiterated that the NCoS remained committed to the welfare, reformation, and rehabilitation of inmates in line with international best practices.
He stressed that the NCoS remained open to scrutiny and collaboration with stakeholders, including the media, civil society organisations, and international partners.
He urged members of the public, CSOs and the media to visit custodial centres and independently verify the conditions under which inmates were kept.
Umar advised the public to disregard the false reports, assuring Nigerians that the NCoS remained steadfast in its duty to uphold the rights and welfare of inmates.
“Our facilities are open to oversight visits by relevant stakeholders. We operate transparently and welcome constructive engagement aimed at improving our operations.
“We are committed to humane and dignified treatment of all persons in our custody. Our mandate goes beyond mere incarceration. It includes reforming and rehabilitating inmates to ensure they return to society as better individuals.
“We urge the public to continue to support our efforts in building a correctional system that the nation can be proud of,” he added.(NAN)
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Thursday gave an immediate waiver of fees for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the Nigerian Law School’s Abuja campus.
Wike revealed this during a meeting with the school’s management in Abuja.
He also declared an “Emergency” on the construction of staff quarters and other critical infrastructure to enhance the institution’s learning environment.
The FCT Minister while responding to an appeal from the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr.
Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote, expressed surprise that the institution had operated without a C of O since moving to Bwari.According to the FCT Minister, “Luckily, the Department of Land is t/here. We are going to waive the fee for C of O for you immediately. But it’s quite unfortunate that since the time they moved the law school to Bwari, they don’t have the C of O. So you’re occupying an illegal institution. I was thinking the first thing the government would have done as the school was coming in was to give you a C of O to show that you are a rightful owner”.
He described the lack of official documentation for government institutions as a trend that his administration is actively correcting.
He noted, “It’s not only you. I think even the Department of State Services, the SSS, they just got their C of O. That’s not encouraging at all”.
The Minister directed the Director of Lands to waive all processing fees for the school’s C of O, and issued a firm directive to ensure the document is processed and ready within one week.
He noted that regularizing the land is essential to move the school from what he colloquially termed an “illegal session” to rightful ownership.
Beyond land matters, the Minister committed the FCT Administration (FCTA) to several high-priority projects aimed at resolving overcrowding and improving staff efficiency.
Wike announced that 10 staff quarters have already been completed and will be commissioned as part of the President’s third anniversary. He further pledged to construct an additional 10 units using existing prototypes to save on design costs.
According to him, work is progressing on two new hostels—one for male students and one for female students—to alleviate overcrowding.
The Minister confirmed he has approved the budget for a new auditorium and questioned why the contractor had not yet moved to the site.
To modernize administrative functions, Wike directed the school to liaise with the FCTA General Counsel, Salman Dako, to explore digitization solutions similar to ongoing efforts at the FCT High Court.
Minister Wike emphasized that these interventions are part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader agenda to support legal education and the judiciary.
He noted that the President is currently constructing “presidential apartments” for judges to ensure their security, welfare, and autonomy.
“Anything we can do to help our children, we are willing to do that,” Wike stated.
He also added that the staff quarters must be treated as an emergency project to ensure rapid delivery.
Dr. Odusote congratulated the Minister on his appointment and praised the visible infrastructure developments across the FCT, while highlighting the specific challenges of disrepair and infrastructure deficits facing the Law School.
Australian researchers on Thursday revealed that alcohol consumption causes a higher proportion of cancers in Australia than previous estimates.
According to a statement of the University of Sydney, the study estimates that around 4.6 per cent of all cancers in Australia are caused by alcohol consumption, which also increases the risk of developing cancer by 19 per cent.
The research, published in the British Journal of Cancer, analyzed alcohol consumption behavior among 225,000 people in the Australian state of New South Wales’ 45 & Up Study.
The study’s lead author Peter Sarich from the University Of Sydney School Of Public Health said “cancer is the leading cause of premature death in Australia.
“While the science on the causes of cancer continues to evolve, the evidence is now clear that reducing alcohol consumption is an effective strategy for preventing cancer.’’
Researchers estimated that over 7,800 cancer cases diagnosed in Australia in 2024 were attributable to alcohol, exceeding earlier estimates of between 2.8 per cent and 4.1 per cent.
The study found cancer risk rises with increased alcohol intake. For every 10 drinks consumed per week, the risk of cancer increased by 19 per cent.
The risk rose by 46 per cent for liver cancer, 27 per cent for cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx and esophagus, 18 per cent for breast cancer, and 16 per cent for colorectal cancer, according to the study.
Sarich said if Australians followed national guidelines of no more than 10 drinks per week, more than 3,700 alcohol-related cancer cases annually could be prevented.
He added that only around half the population is aware that alcohol causes cancer.
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
The Cross River State Government has refuted a publication by online platforms alleging the discovery of 10 new persons with COVID-19 symptoms, describing the report as misleading and inconsistent with the state’s current public health records.
In an official rejoinder issued on Thursday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr.
Henry Egbe Ayuk, clarified that the state still has only one confirmed case of COVID-19, with no additional infections recorded.The clarification follows a report titled “Cross River Identifies 10 More Persons with COVID Symptoms,” which suggested a possible spread of the virus in the state.
However, the Commissioner explained that the ten individuals referenced in the report are merely contacts of the confirmed case, identified through routine contact tracing, and not new or suspected infections.
“As clearly communicated during our press briefing in Calabar on April 21, there are no additional confirmed cases in Cross River State,” Ayuk stated.
He further explained that none of the identified contacts is currently exhibiting symptoms associated with COVID-19, emphasizing that they do not fall under the category of suspected or confirmed cases.
To ensure public understanding, the Ministry outlined key distinctions: contacts are individuals who have had close interaction with a confirmed case; suspected cases are those showing symptoms; while confirmed cases are individuals who have tested positive through laboratory diagnosis.
Ayuk noted that, in line with standard public health protocols, the identified contacts have been placed under home isolation and are being monitored daily by health officials for any signs of the virus.
“This is purely a preventive measure and does not indicate any new infections,” he stressed.
The state government reiterated its commitment to transparency and timely dissemination of accurate health information, urging residents to disregard unverified reports and rely on official updates from the Ministry of Health.
While encouraging continued adherence to basic preventive measures, the Commissioner assured citizens that there is no cause for alarm, as the situation remains under control.
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