The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that the cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano State has been contained.
The Service, however, said two inmates died from the outbreak, with one death recorded at the custodial centre and the other at the Kano State Infectious Diseases Hospital.
The NCoS Public Relations Officer, Jane Osuji, said the outbreak was confirmed through laboratory investigation on September 23 by the Service’s medical team and Kano State public health authorities.
She said the incident was first detected on September 17 when an inmate presented with vomiting and diarrhoea and was immediately admitted and treated at the centre’s medical facility.
According to her, the medical team activated emergency protocols the following morning while intensifying treatment, monitoring and other interventions.
Osuji said the measures brought the outbreak under control, adding that no further deaths had been recorded since the diagnosis.
She said the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, directed that all necessary measures be sustained to protect the health and welfare of inmates and personnel.
The NCoS spokesperson expressed regret over the deaths and said the Controller-General had extended his condolences to the families of the deceased.
She said the Service had introduced additional preventive measures in collaboration with the Kano State Government to prevent future occurrences.
‘The Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to reassure the public that healthcare services remain available across custodial facilities through qualified medical personnel, while continuous disease surveillance, early detection and prompt medical response are being strengthened in collaboration with relevant public health authorities,’ Osuji said.
She added that Nwakuche had directed a team of senior medical personnel from the Service’s National Headquarters to proceed to the facility for sustained monitoring.
The Controller-General, according to Osuji, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to treating persons in custody humanely and protecting their health, dignity and welfare in line with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, and established correctional standards.