Reports indicate a distressing situation at Kebbi Prison, where several inmates have reportedly died from starvation and malnutrition within a month. Alarmingly, some of these deceased prisoners were allegedly buried without the consent of their families, raising serious ethical concerns about the treatment of inmates.
Sources reveal that relatives are typically notified when a prisoner passes away, enabling them to claim the body. However, this procedure seems to have been disregarded in recent instances. The situation has drawn attention to a broader issue, as it is not the first time inmates have been buried without family notification.
A new officer in charge, Alhaji Thomas, expressed discontent regarding the decision made by senior officials to conduct secretive and unauthorized burials. He reportedly learned about the burial of a deceased inmate only after it had taken place while he was away that weekend. The decision not to inform him about the mortuary’s rejection of the body has sparked further outrage.
According to legal stipulations, prison authorities are permitted to bury inmates only when their bodies remain unclaimed by relatives. With the deceased currently in the mortuary, it seems the fate of these bodies now lies in the hands of government and hospital officials. The issue of unclaimed bodies is often exacerbated by frequent deaths in the facility, as noted by one source who mentioned that around 13 inmates were released on health grounds, highlighting the dire conditions within the prison.
When approached for comment, Alhaji Thomas denied the claims made by the sources, stating, “There’s no truth in that. Thank you.” His response has done little to quell concerns regarding the treatment of inmates at Kebbi Prison, underscoring the need for greater transparency and accountability within the facility.
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