At least 12 inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State, have died in September 2024, allegedly due to poor nutrition and harsh living conditions, according to multiple sources.
These sources revealed the deaths to SaharaReporters, citing severe malnutrition, unhygienic conditions, and neglect.
One source, who spoke anonymously, claimed the deaths were linked to the inmates’ deplorable living conditions, worsened by the mismanagement of prison resources.
“The leadership of the correctional service, driven by illicit financial gains, diverts feeding allocations meant for inmates. This has led to hunger-related deaths and other health complications,” the source said.
The inmate population at the Keffi facility far exceeds its capacity, housing 750 inmates, while the facility was built to hold just 340, according to statements by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in June.
Another source added that some inmates succumbed to injuries sustained from beatings by warders, and many were denied timely medical attention until it was too late.
The official alleged that these deaths are often covered up by prison authorities to avoid public scrutiny.
“Twelve prisoners died last month from hunger and poor nutrition, and their bodies were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi mortuary,” the source said.
He noted that the situation might be even worse, as there could be more deaths during times he was off duty.
One particularly disturbing incident involved the body of an inmate who died in late September. The mortuary at the hospital reportedly rejected the body due to lack of space, forcing a senior prison official to arrange an impromptu burial without informing the deceased’s family.
“This goes against the law, which mandates the prison authorities to notify relatives of a deceased prisoner before proceeding with burial if the body is not claimed,” another source disclosed.
The officer-in-charge of the facility, Alhaji Thomas, was reportedly unaware of the burial decision and expressed dissatisfaction upon learning of the situation.
The allegations extend beyond neglect and malnutrition to systemic corruption within the prison system.
An official referenced a statement by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, highlighting how the system has been compromised, including a past instance where cross-dresser Bobrisky reportedly sought special treatment in prison.
In response to these allegations, Alhaji Thomas denied that such incidents occurred, telling SaharaReporters: “There’s no truth in that.”
However, the revelations have sparked renewed concerns about the conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, where overcrowding, poor nutrition, and lack of medical care remain persistent issues.
Calls for reform and accountability are growing, as more voices within the system speak out against the corruption and mismanagement that are contributing to inmate deaths.