Even among the high and mighty, the fear of prisons in Nigeria is a real thing. And these are the most feared ones:
1. The Kirikiri maximum security prison located in Apapa, Lagos is already infamous for their congestion. As at February 1, 1990, had a population of 1,645 but only a rated capacity of 956 . Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison is also infamous for its “degrading” treatment of prisoners , “appalling” living conditions, sub-standard medical care, and a very high death rate. Currently, its official capacity is 1,056. It was first established in 1955. Paul Chiama of Leadership once wrote that “The mention of Kirikiri first reminds any Nigerian of” this prison. It has held notable prisoners like: Chief Bode George, Clifford Orji, Al-Mustapha and Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
2. Kuje Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Whatsapp Nigerian prisons are dens of dehumanization The Kuje prison is located in Abuja, Nigeria. Though not as well-known as the Kirikiri Maximum security prison in Lagos, its notoriety is growing. In the 1990s, Kuje established its unsavory reputation as the place pro-democracy activists and critics of government were sent by the military regime. People who have been in the prison or are currently there include: Abba Moro, Olisa Metuh and Nnamdi Kanu. READ ALSO: Shock as 15 prison inmates run mad in Abakaliki
3. Gboko Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Whatsapp Sleeping conditions are brutal Gboko is a fast-growing town in the Benue state of North-central Nigeria. The name Gboko also refers to a Local Government in Benue state. The population for the town is over 500,000, mostly Tiv people. Despite plans by the federal government to ensure the reformation of the criminal justice system, prisons in the country, including the Makurdi medium security prisons remain congested include Gboko.
4. Jimeta Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Whatsapp Prison Breaks are common due to bad conditions The Jimeta prison in Damaturu, Yobe state is especially dangerous because most times it houses religious extremists and Boko Haram prisoners, which makes it prone to violent attacks. Most people in this prison are not sure of seeing the next day. The Jimeta prison break in 2012 was an attack by 40 gunmen suspected to be members of the terrorist group Boko Haram. The attack is thought to have been a bid to rescue imprisoned members of Boko Haram. About 40 prisoners escaped from the prison; seven inmates and one prison warden died. The escaped prisoners were largely Boko Haram members. READ ALSO: What these 3 governors did to prisoners on Independence Day will make you cry
5. Ibara Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Whatsapp Prisons in Nigeria are better avoided Some inmates of the Ibara Prison, Abeokuta, Ogun state have accused prison officials of extorting cash from them to carry out their official duties. According to one of the affected inmates, on court days, prison officials would force them to contribute money to fuel vehicles adding: “If not, they won’t take you to court, who knows, maybe it is on such a day that the court may set that person free. “This prison is congested due to unnecessary remand of innocent persons because they have no money to bribe the officials.”
Source: naija.com
