Inmates at the Jos Custodial Centre in Plateau State have cried out over what they describe as inhumane conditions, alleging gross neglect, malnutrition, absence of medical care, and a climate of brutality within the prison walls.
According to disturbing revelations , the inmates lamented being fed watery beans devoid of nutritional value, with no meat or fish served for over a year.
“Since last year, no meat, no fish. Just watery beans and other terrible food,” one inmate said, describing the meals as “unfit for human consumption.”
Photographs shared by the inmates show visibly unappetising and nutritionally deficient meals, sparking renewed calls for prison reform across the country.
The inmates also accused the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) of failing to provide adequate medical care.
“Since November 28, 2021, we have been treated like slaves,” a source disclosed, adding that access to basic healthcare has been almost nonexistent.
One of the most alarming allegations involves the role of a prison official known only as “Abude,” who is said to wield excessive influence over the daily affairs of the custodial centre.
“It’s like a family prison now. Whatever Abude says, that is what the Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) does,” another source claimed.
Allegations of ethnic bias have also emerged, with inmates suggesting that management of the facility is dominated by individuals from Langtang, a community in Plateau State, raising concerns about impartiality and fairness in prison administration.
The dire conditions are not new. In March 2024, the facility was rocked by a protest following plans to cut down food rations.
Inmates reportedly reacted violently to a proposed reduction in rice meals from four times weekly to two, substituting grains and garri instead.
The protest escalated, prompting authorities to fire tear gas and gunshots into the air to restore order.
At the time, the custodial centre held 1,064 inmates, including 647 males and 14 females awaiting trial, 209 convicted prisoners, and 131 on death row.
Despite these claims, the Nigerian Correctional Service has denied the allegations.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar said: “These claims are not true… we also have NGOs that supply us food through donations.
The food is much and even stored in a place where only the leader of the inmates has the key. None of our staff has access to that.”
He further referenced the federal government’s recent increment of the daily food allowance from N750 to N1,125 as evidence of ongoing efforts to improve inmate welfare.
The revelations have reignited criticism of Nigeria’s prison system, which continues to face challenges including overcrowding, underfunding, and systemic human rights abuses.
Rights activists and civil society groups are urging the federal government to conduct an independent probe and implement urgent reforms to safeguard the dignity of inmates nationwide.
Source : Sahara Reporters
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