REJOINDER : Eight inmates loss their lives in Niger Prison.
The Nigerian correctional service, Niger State command has come across a publication circulated by an online newspaper on the above subject.
The command wishes to clearly state that, there was no single death recorded in any of its facility as a result of under feeding. For a reason best known to the writer he could not verify his claim before dishing out the story to the public which created unnecessary panic in the society.
The claim that the wife of the Governor of Niger state,Her Excellency Hajiya Fatima Umar Mohammed Bago donated 250 bags of rice and 250 bags of maize during Qur’anic graduation of inmates at the Minna old custodial centre is not true.
It is a fact that the first lady graced the occasion where she donated 20 bags of rice and 30 bags of maize to argument the inmates ration but not as claimed by the writer.
The issue of inmates trekking distance to fetch water is also not true because the facility has a functional water tanker that supply the centre on daily basis. More so the service treats all inmates in its custody with the best standard in line with global practice as such no inmate goes out to fetch water outside the facility.
The claim that the service is not receiving any support from the state government is also not true because the state government under transformative Governor of Niger state has been enjoying much support and cooperation whenever the need arises.
As stakeholders in nation building the Noble journalism profession cannot engage in sabotaging or jeopardize the peace and stability enjoyed by the state and by extension the nation in general especially at this trying moment of our history.
The chief judge of the state has also been carrying out her quarterly jail delivery exercise apart from the daily routine of conveying inmates to and from the courts. The erroneous issue raised by this reporter is unfortunate as it is capable of tarnishing the good reputation of the Noble journalism profession.
The Nigerian correctional service under the able leadership of the Controller General of Correctional service, Haliru Nababa, FICMC, MFR, mni remain committed to achieving the core mandate of the service to Reform, Rehabilitate and Reintegrate offenders back to the society as well behaved and productive citizens and will never engage in any unethical conduct that will jeopardize the renewed hope agenda of the president Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR.
We therefore called on journalists and other patriotic citizens to verify their claim before publication and always join hands with the service to ensure peace and security of the country for the benefit of all law abiding and patriotic citizens and the nation in general.
Signed :
CSC Rabiu Mohammed Shuaibu, CPRO;
For the controller of Corrections, Niger State command.
