Despite being behind bars, Inmates at the Jos Correctional Center, Plateau State, have staged a protest over the economic hardship ravaging the nation.
According to reports, the inmates began the protest on Friday after they were informed of the downward review of sizes of food in the correctional center.
Reacting to the information, inmates refused to take orders from the custodial officials and also shunned breakfast to show their displeasure.
The inmates reportedly converged at the center of the prison yard while shouting on top of their voices.
However, they were dispersed by the custodial officials, who used tear gas to force them back to their rooms.
Confirming the incident, the Comptroller of the Jos Correctional Center, Raphael Ibinuhi blamed the protest on high cost of living, as that was the sole reason for the food cut.
In his words, “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.”
Recall that there has been several protests across Nigeria against the economic hardship plaguing the nation.
