BREAKING: Hardship protest spreads to prison, inmates revolt in Jos

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

The protest over nationwide hardship hit the Correctional Center in Jos, Plateau State capital, on Friday as inmates staged a protest over plan to reduce their food ration.

Daily Trust learnt that immediately they got tipped off on downward review of food size, the inmates started to protest.

During the protest, the inmates refused to take orders from the custodial officials  and also shunned breakfast.

They converged on the center of the prison yard while shouting on top of their voices but the custodial officials used tear gas to force them back to their rooms.

Comptroller of the Jos Correctional Center, Raphael Ibinuhi, confirmed the protest of the inmates to Daily Trust.

He said, “The problem has to do with the high cost of goods in the market. The contractor in charge of the foods said they are being forced by the price of food items to reduce the size of the plate of foods.

“So, it is the food size that provoked the protest. I don’t think the protest is necessary because the food challenge and the cost of items is a national issues that the federal government is already addressing. And I want to believe that since it is a national issue, whatever step taken by the federal government to address it will be felt everywhere in the country including the Correctional centers.”

The rising cost of living in the country has triggered protest in different parts of the country.

On Monday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) mobilised a nationwide protest, which President Bola Tinubu described as unacceptable.

While commissioning the Lagos Red Line Train connecting Agbado to Oyingbo, the president had said, “Allow me to throw a jab here. The Labour Union should understand that no matter how much we cling to our freedom and rights, to call for strike within 9 months of an administration is unacceptable.”