Nasarawa Prison Inmates Revolt Over Diverted Rice Donations

Nasarawa Prison Unrest Over Embezzled Rice

“About a week later, one Mr Shagba, a senior officer of the rank of Assistant Controller, advised the then officer in charge of the station, DC Lamiya (retd), to corner the remaining bags of rice for himself...”

Nasarawa Prison Uprising: Inmates Protest Diverted Food Supplies | Top officials accused of diverting donated rice, sparking inmate unrest

Inmates at the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre in Nasarawa State protested poor feeding conditions, alleging officials diverted donated rice meant as palliatives. The unrest erupted in July when prisoners saw personnel removing bags of rice from the food store.

The protest turned violent as inmates attacked the involved officials. Chanting protest songs, the prisoners expressed frustration over neglect and inadequate provisions.

Order was restored through the swift intervention of the State Controller and Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS).

Key Facts:

• Location: Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre, Nasarawa State
• Cause: Alleged diversion of donated rice by facility officials
• Protest duration: July
• Intervention: State Controller and Zonal Coordinator

“About three months ago, a truck with about 500 bags of rice was donated to Keffi new correctional centre. About 200 bags were shared among the staff, leaving 300 bags for feeding of prisoners whom the gift was actually meant for,” a prison official familiar said.

“About a week later, one Mr Shagba, a senior officer of the rank of Assistant Controller, advised the then officer in charge of the station, DC Lamiya (retd), to corner the remaining bags of rice for himself. Mr Shaba urged the then officer in charge, Mr Lamiya, that why would he use all those bags of rice to feed common prisoners, that was the exact word he used.

“The officer in charge then told him that, since the rice was already put in the food store which houses prisoners food stuffs inside the prison yard, removing it could lead to protest by the prisoners. Mr Shagba then assured the officer in charge not to worry about that, as he promised to arrange some junior officers to move the rice from the store in the night.

“Mr Shagba did arrange officers and moved the rice in the night to the officer in charge's quarters. However, as feared by the then officer in charge, prisoners got to know and started a serious protest which the state controller and the zonal coordinator had to quickly came over to appeal to the inmates.

“This action subsequently led to the transfer of many tough prisoners to other correctional centres in and outside the state. Few days later, Mr Lamiya, the then officer in charge retired, and one Dr Alhaji Thomas, now a Deputy Controller of Corrections, was transferred to replace the outgone one.

“Few days after Dr Thomas took over, another truck of rice was donated to the prison again. However, this time, Mr Shagba ran to the new officer in charge and advised him not to load the rice in the food store, narrating to him what led to the prisoners' protest recently. Hence, the content in the truck was offloaded into his staff quarters. As we are talking now, the bags of rice meant for the prisoners are not in the food store but the officer-in-charge's quarters.”

An inmate has come forward, corroborating reports of a protest at the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre. The inmate alleged that senior prison officials regularly divert donated materials and food, meant to improve inmate welfare.

“The situation became unbearable, leading to tensions that nearly sparked a jailbreak,” the inmate revealed. “Fortunately, the timely intervention of the state prison controller prevented chaos.”

However, Alhaji Thomas, a prison official, disputed the claims, stating, “No such incident occurred within our facility. The allegations are entirely false.”

Contrasting Accounts:

• Inmate: Senior officials divert donated materials and food.
• Inmate: Protest nearly led to jailbreak, averted by state controller's intervention.
• Prison Official (Alhaji Thomas): Allegations are false; no incident occurred.

Inmates at the Jos Correctional Centre in Plateau State staged a protest several months ago, opposing plans to reduce their food rations. The unrest was sparked by a leak about the proposed decrease in meal portions.

The inmates demonstrated their discontent by defying custodial officials' orders and collectively refusing breakfast. This unified action highlighted the inmates' determination to resist the planned reduction in their food allocations.

Key Facts:

• Location: Jos Correctional Centre, Plateau State
• Cause: Proposed reduction in food rations
• Protest method: Refusing breakfast, defying officials
• Date: Several months ago
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