The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that there are currently no cases of Mpox in any of its 256 custodial centres across the country. This announcement was made by Abubakar Umar, Assistant Controller of Corrections (ACC) and Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Nigeria has reported 48 Mpox cases across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with no deaths recorded, as reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The country received 10,000 vaccine doses from the U.S. government on August 27 to help control the outbreak.
Umar attributed the NCoS’s success in preventing Mpox outbreaks to proactive measures, including strict adherence to medical directives, robust sanitation systems, and adequate water supply. He highlighted the service’s coordination with state governments and the Ministry of Health to prevent any outbreaks within the custodial centres.
“We are committed to preventing outbreaks of any diseases in our custodial centres,” Umar stated. “Our preventive measures include maintaining high standards of health hygiene, ensuring compliance with medical directives, and providing adequate sanitation and water systems.”
Umar emphasized that the NCoS has a strong record of preventing disease outbreaks in its facilities. He assured that the service, under the leadership of NCoS Controller General Haliru Nababa, would continue to uphold an infection-free environment in its custodial centres.
He also noted the positive changes in the NCoS due to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including improved budgetary provisions, infrastructure upgrades, and enhanced staff and inmate welfare. The service is actively working to maintain these improvements and prevent the spread of Mpox.
In addition to its preventive measures, the NCoS is constructing three high-capacity custodial centres, each with 3,000 cells, in Kano (North West), Karshi-Abuja (North Central), and Bori Rivers State (South-South) to address accommodation challenges.
“We are collaborating with state governments and the Ministry of Health to ensure that we prevent any outbreaks within our custodial centres,” Umar concluded.