Ja’afaru Ahmed the controller general of Nigeria Correctional Service has said the cell where inmates died in Ikoyi Custodial Centre was overcrowded.
Some inmates at the Centre were electrocuted on Monday morning while 10 others sustained injuries in the incident.
According to the spokesman of the service, Francis Enobore quoted Ahmed as describing the incident as “tragic and most ill-fated”.
He said it is the first of its kind in the history of the service, adding that investigation is still ongoing.
“The CG, who visited the scene of the incident with the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, noted that it was the first time in the history of the NCoS to experience such a disaster. He, therefore, ordered an immediate investigation into the sad incident with a view to taking necessary actions in order to forestall future occurrence.
“As of the time of the incident, Ikoyi Medium Security Custodial Center built in 1955 for 800 inmates, had a population of 3,113 with 2,680 as awaiting trial persons. The particular cell where the disaster occurred has a capacity for 35 but held 140 inmates.”
He assured the public of the safety of inmates, adding that their welfare will be prioritised.
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