Unrest in Kuje prison over inmate’s death

There was tension at the Kuje Correctional Centre, early Monday, over the death of an inmate.

It was gathered that the unrest was triggered following the death of the inmate, who was allegedly not given prompt medical attention.

Sources also noted that some inmates attempted to escape from the prison facility amidst the tension but were prevented by the warders.

Officials of the prison confirmed the death of the inmate to our correspondent. The source said, “He was sick recently and the doctors here were attending to him before he was referred to Gwagwalada specialist hospital last week Thursday. He was there till Friday before returning to the facility on Saturday. He was supposed to go for another check-up today. I don’t know exactly what ailment he was diagnosed of but I heard his blood pressure was on the high side. It was unfortunate he died.”

Another source told our correspondent that the inmate died of kidney disease.

“The inmate was sick. He died this morning. He was at the hospital last week where he was suspected to have kidney issues. That is all I can say about what you are asking me,” the source said.

“The guy has been sick for weeks now, but the situation deteriorated last night and the wardens refused to attend to him until he gave up the ghost around 6:28 am this morning,” a prison official also told SaharaReporters.

When contacted, the Spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Chukwuedo Humphrey, confirmed the death of the inmate.

According to him, the inmate’s family would be contacted in no distant time.

He said, “Yes, an inmate died. He had a chronic ailment before getting into the facility and we had been managing him before his death. We will be getting across to his family and condole with them.”

He, however, denied claims that the inmates protested and attempted to escape as a result of the incident.

“Nobody is revolting or revolted. Nobody escaped or attempted to. The inmate is not a troublesome person.”

It was reported that there was an attack by terrorists on the Custodial Centre in the Kuje area council of the Federal Capital Territory, early July.