The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has issued a firm rebuttal against a recent media report that described the nation's prisons as breeding grounds for tuberculosis (TB). The service has labeled the claims as both inaccurate and dangerous.
NCoS Condemns 'Misleading' Publication
In a statement released from Abuja on Monday, 5 January 2026, the NCoS expressed deep concern over the report. The service's Public Relations Officer (PRO), Jane Osuji, spearheaded the response, criticizing the narrative presented to the public.
Osuji stated that the publication was not only factually incorrect but also acted with malicious intent. She emphasized that such irresponsible coverage of public health matters could cause unnecessary panic and misinform the citizenry.
Portrayal of 'Hotbeds' Called Sensational
The core of the NCoS's objection lies in the report's characterization of custodial centres. Osuji directly addressed the language used, which she found to be excessively dramatic.
"The report adopted a sensational tone, portraying custodial centres as unchecked 'hotbeds' for tuberculosis," Osuji was quoted as saying. She argued that this approach is fundamentally misleading.
According to the NCoS spokesperson, this creates a false impression of widespread systemic neglect within the correctional service's healthcare protocols. The service insists that this depiction does not reflect the reality on the ground.
Commitment to Inmate Health and Welfare
While the statement focused on debunking the specific report, it implicitly underscores the NCoS's stance on inmate welfare. By publicly challenging the narrative, the service aims to assert its commitment to maintaining health standards within its facilities.
The rebuttal from the Abuja headquarters serves as an official position meant to control the public discourse. It highlights the ongoing tension between institutional transparency and the management of public perception regarding sensitive issues like prison health.
The NCoS has not provided counter-statistics or detailed its current TB prevention and treatment measures in this specific statement. However, its forceful denial indicates a priority to safeguard its institutional reputation against claims it deems harmful and false.
