NCoS Contains Cholera Outbreak at Kano Custodial Centre, Two Inmates Die
Pan Afric Reporters
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that a cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano State has been contained, with two people reported dead from the disease.
The Service disclosed this in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections JN Osuji, on September 26, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the outbreak by the NCoS medical team and Kano State public health authorities on September 23.
According to the NCoS, the outbreak was first detected on September 17 when an inmate presented with vomiting and diarrhoea and was immediately admitted and treated at the custodial centre’s medical facility.
The Service said its medical team activated emergency response protocols the following morning, while intensifying treatment, disease surveillance and monitoring of inmates and personnel.
The intervention, according to the NCoS, successfully brought the outbreak under control, with no further mortality recorded since the laboratory confirmation of the disease.
However, the Service said the outbreak claimed two lives—one at the custodial centre and another at the Kano State Infectious Diseases Hospital.
The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, mni, pcc, was said to have been immediately briefed and subsequently directed that all necessary measures be sustained to protect the health and welfare of inmates and personnel.
The Controller-General also expressed condolences over the deaths, with the Service saying it “regrets that the outbreak claimed two lives.”
As part of efforts to prevent a recurrence, the NCoS said it had initiated additional preventive measures in collaboration with the Kano State Government and relevant public health authorities.
The Service further disclosed that the Controller-General had directed a team of senior medical personnel from its National Headquarters to proceed to the facility for sustained monitoring of the situation.
The NCoS reassured the public that healthcare services remain available across custodial facilities through qualified medical personnel, while continuous disease surveillance, early detection and prompt medical response are being strengthened.
The Service also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the health, dignity and welfare of persons in custody in accordance with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, and established correctional standards.
The NCoS appreciated members of the public for their concern and urged Nigerians to rely on verified information from official channels as the Service continues to monitor the situation and provide updates where necessary.
