The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed reports suggesting that inmates in custodial centres across the country are facing starvation, affirming that all inmates continue to receive three daily meals, even amid rising inflation.
In a statement made during an interview in Abuja on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the NCoS, Abubakar Umar, emphasized that the welfare of inmates remains a top priority for the federal government. He credited President Bola Tinubu’s administration for increasing budgetary provisions for inmate feeding, noting that allocations are strictly monitored and utilised in line with laid-down guidelines.
“Every inmate is entitled to three meals a day — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — as provided in our operational framework,” Umar stated. “The allegations that inmates are dying of hunger are entirely baseless. We have no such records in any of our custodial facilities.”
He added that all correctional centres operate under stringent procedures that ensure timely and adequate feeding for all inmates. Dismissing recent media claims of interviews with allegedly starving inmates, Umar described the reports as misleading and fabricated.
“These are high-security zones,” he said. “Access is regulated, and even journalists cannot enter without prior approval. The use of recording devices, including phones and cameras, is strictly prohibited. Claims of such interviews taking place are implausible and should be disregarded.”
Umar reaffirmed that while the service does face operational challenges, these have not affected inmate nutrition. He also urged media professionals to uphold the ethics of responsible journalism by verifying information before publication.
“Journalism thrives on truth and accountability,” he said. “Spreading unverified reports can damage public confidence and undermine the work of public institutions.”
He further revealed that the Tinubu-led administration had increased the feeding budget by 50 percent shortly after assuming office and that a ministerial panel had been established to reassess inmate welfare, signaling further improvements on the horizon.
