Inmates at the Jos Correctional Centre, Plateau State on Friday protested over proposed plan to reduce their food ration at the centre.
According to reports, the protest resulted in the firing of tear gas canisters and gunshots into the air by prison authorities so as to calm the situation.
Reliable sources at the correctional centre reported that the contractor in charge of food supply to the centre had complained about the high cost of food items in market,
The contractor was said to be specific about rice which is a stable menu of the inmates, saying his company will have to be adjusted from four times to twice in a week and will be substituted by either grains or garri.
No doubt this decision generated reactions from the inmates, as they expressed their grievances during a routine briefing by the official in charge.
Confirming the incident to journalists at the Nigerian Correctional Service in Jos, Raphael Ibinuhi, the Controller of Corrections, Plateau State Command stated that tear gas canisters and firing shots in the air were applied to disperse the unruly inmates when they refused to return to their cells.
“By the time the inmates were called this morning for briefing, they were not happy that the period for consumption of rice has been reduced from four times to two in a week and expressed dissatisfaction on the development,” Ibinuhi said.
“I instructed the officer in charge to return them to their cells but instead they became violent and started throwing stones at the personnel. In response and to keep the situation from getting out of hand, we have to resort to firing tear gas canisters and gunshots which enable the handsmen to return the inmates to the cells. Some of the personnel sustained minor injuries from the stones thrown at them but no inmates were injured during as the situation was brought under control.”
