Inmates in the Correctional Center in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, today March 1, staged a protest in the facility over the proposed reduction in their food supply.
The inmates became agitated after getting wind of the decision to reduce their food supply. The agitated 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.
Confirming the protest to newsmen, the head of the Jos Correctional Center, Raphael Ibinuhi, 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.”