The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that a cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano State has been contained, following the deaths of two inmates. The first case emerged on September 17 when an inmate reported symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea, according to NCoS spokesman Chief Superintendent of Corrections JN Osuji, as reported by Daily Trust on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Outbreak Timeline and Confirmation
The affected inmate was immediately moved to the facility's medical centre for treatment, and emergency health protocols were activated the following morning. Laboratory tests conducted alongside Kano State public health authorities on September 23 formally confirmed the cholera outbreak.
One of the two deaths occurred within the custodial centre, while the other was recorded at the Kano State Infectious Diseases Hospital. The NCoS has not disclosed the identities of the deceased inmates.
Emergency Response and Medical Intervention
Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, ordered sustained medical intervention and directed a team of senior medical staff from the NCoS National Headquarters to travel to the facility for continued monitoring and support. Nwakuche also coordinated with the Kano State Government to introduce additional preventive measures aimed at stopping a recurrence of the outbreak.
"The Nigerian Correctional Service has confirmed that a cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano has been contained," Osuji said in a statement. "The Service says no further deaths have been recorded since the outbreak was confirmed," he added.
Public Assurance and Related Incident
The NCoS said its intervention had brought the situation under control and reassured Nigerians that inmates at the facility continued to receive medical care from qualified health personnel. The service also urged the public to rely only on verified information from official sources when seeking updates on the outbreak.
In a separate incident, intelligence sources disclosed that a cholera outbreak killed nine ISWAP fighters in the Timbuktu Triangle, a terrorist stronghold in Borno State. Two infected fighters were reportedly executed by fellow terrorists after treatment efforts at Kimba village failed. Operation HADIN KAI troops continued sustained offensives targeting ISWAP enclaves and logistics networks across the Lake Chad region.
