Economic hardship: Jos prison inmates protest over food ration cuts

Tare MagbeiNovember 22, 2024115

On Friday, prisoners at the Jos Correctional Center in Plateau State demonstrated against the economic difficulties affecting the country.

ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!

The demonstration started as soon as the prisoners learned that the food portions in the correctional center had been reduced.

The prisoners reportedly disobeyed the custodial officials and skipped breakfast in protest.

Daily Trust reported that the prisoners gathered at the middle of the prison yard and yelled loudly.

However, the custodial officials dispersed them by using tear gas and making them return to their cells.

Raphael Ibinuhi, the Comptroller of the Jos Correctional Center, acknowledged the situation and attributed the protest to the high cost of living.

He said, “The issue is related to the high cost of products in the market. The food contractor said they have to decrease the plate size of the foods because of the food prices.

“So, it is the food size that caused the protest. I don’t think the protest is justified because the food problem and the cost of products is a national matter that the federal government is already dealing with.

“And I hope that since it is a national matter, whatever action taken by the federal government to solve it will be noticed everywhere in the country including the Correctional centers.”