The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) says it has restored normalcy to the Kurmawa prison in the Kano metropolis following a violent protest staged by the inmates on Thursday.

A spokesman for the prison authorities in Kano, Musbahu Kofar-Nasarawa, confirmed the development to journalists on Friday in Kano.

It was gathered that the inmates rioted over the alleged poor quality of food served in the facility. The situation caused panic among residents about a possible jailbreak by the inmates.

Reacting, Mr Kofar-Nasarawa pointed out that the prison authorities had restored normalcy as the inmates were confined and security beefed up at the facility.

“There was an attempt by some inmates to cause pandemonium in the prison yard,” said Mr Kofar-Nasarawa. “However, the situation was brought under control by concerted efforts of the warders and security operatives.”

Commenting further, he stated, “The inmates are not protesting over alleged poor quality or lack of food at the facility.

“Rather, they kicked against an attempt by warders to retrieve some illicit items in their possession. Normalcy has been restored at the facility,” he said.

Yet, Mr Kofar-Nasarawa disclosed that the authorities had set up a committee to unravel the cause of the riot and examine the influx of illicit substances into the facility.

About two weeks ago, a riot broke out at a Bauchi prison, leaving five inmates and two officers injured.

According to the prison’s spokesman, Abubakar Adamu, the incident occurred due to the trafficking of items to inmates by a prison official.

“There was a riot that broke out as a result of a prison officer trafficking handsets, drugs, and other related items to inmates inside the centre.

“Unfortunately for the officer, intelligence caught him, and in the process of investigation, the inmates got wind of the incident and broke into the store and catered away shovels, daggers, and diggers.

“The inmates, who were chanting songs and slogans, broke some items inside the prison which forced the prison officials to start shooting in the air to scare them. In the melee, five inmates and two officials were injured,” he explained.

(NAN)