The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that a cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano State has been brought under control. According to the Service Public Relations Officer, Jane Osuji, laboratory tests conducted by the NCoS medical team and state public health authorities confirmed the outbreak on September 23. The first case was identified on September 17 after an inmate developed vomiting and diarrhea.
The inmate was admitted to the custodial centre's medical facility for treatment, and by the next morning, the medical team had activated emergency medical protocols while intensifying medical intervention and monitoring. Osuji stated that the measures taken by the service and health authorities had successfully brought the situation under control, with no further deaths recorded since the outbreak was diagnosed.
However, two inmates died during the incident, with one death occurring at the custodial centre and the other at the state infectious diseases hospital. The NCoS spokesperson disclosed that the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, was promptly informed of the development and directed that all necessary measures be maintained to safeguard the health and welfare of inmates and personnel.
Nwakuche expressed condolences over the deaths and ordered the implementation of additional preventive measures in collaboration with the Kano State Government. He directed that disease surveillance, early detection, and prompt medical intervention be strengthened across custodial centres nationwide in partnership with relevant public health authorities.
As part of efforts to prevent further spread of the disease, senior medical personnel from the service's national headquarters were sent to the affected facility to monitor the situation. Nwakuche assured that qualified medical personnel continued to provide healthcare services in custodial facilities across the country.
The Controller-General reaffirmed the commitment of the service to ensuring humane treatment of persons in custody and protecting their health, dignity, and welfare in accordance with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, and established correctional standards. He urged members of the public to obtain information about the outbreak from verified official channels.
The service will provide further updates when necessary, and the public is assured that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent future outbreaks. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining high standards of healthcare and hygiene in custodial facilities to prevent the spread of diseases.
Key points
- Two inmates died during the cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano State.
- The Nigerian Correctional Service has contained the outbreak and implemented measures to prevent future incidents.
- The service has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring humane treatment and protecting the health, dignity, and welfare of persons in custody.
