Kurmawa Prison Cholera Outbreak Contained After Two Deaths — NCoS
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that a cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano State has been contained, with two inmates reportedly losing their lives.
The Service disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, signed by its Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections J.N. Osuji.
According to the statement, the outbreak was laboratory-confirmed on September 23, 2026, following investigations conducted by the NCoS medical team in collaboration with public health authorities in Kano State.
The Service said the first case was detected on September 17 when an inmate presented with vomiting and diarrhoea and was immediately admitted and treated at the facility’s medical unit.
By the following morning, the medical team had activated emergency response protocols, intensified treatment and commenced enhanced monitoring of inmates and personnel, the statement said.
The intervention, according to the NCoS, brought the outbreak under control, with no additional deaths recorded since the laboratory confirmation.
However, two deaths were recorded during the outbreak. One occurred at the custodial centre, while the second victim died at the Kano State Infectious Diseases Hospital.
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The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, mni, pcc, was said to have been briefed immediately after the outbreak was confirmed and directed that all necessary measures be sustained to protect inmates and personnel.
Nwakuche expressed condolences to the families and colleagues of those who died, while directing the Service to strengthen preventive measures and disease surveillance at the facility.
The NCoS said it was working with the Kano State Government as part of efforts to prevent further transmission and reduce the risk of future outbreaks.
It added that healthcare services remained available across custodial facilities through qualified medical personnel, while early detection, continuous surveillance and prompt medical intervention were being strengthened in collaboration with relevant public health authorities.
The Controller-General has also directed senior medical personnel from the NCoS National Headquarters to proceed to Kurmawa Custodial Centre for continued monitoring of the situation.
The Service said the deployment was intended to ensure sustained medical supervision and prevent a recurrence of the outbreak.
The NCoS further reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the health, dignity and welfare of persons in custody in accordance with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, and established correctional standards.
The Service urged members of the public to rely on verified information from official channels as authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide updates where necessary.
By PRNigeria
