By | Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja
Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Nigerian authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the 115-year-old Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano following the reported deaths of at least six inmates within one week amid a suspected cholera outbreak.
The rights organisation said several other inmates are currently receiving treatment, warning that the number of fatalities could rise as the suspected disease continues to spread, particularly among awaiting-trial inmates. Amnesty urged authorities to immediately transfer critically ill prisoners to hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Amnesty further warned that failure to intervene urgently could result in more deaths and potentially amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
The organisation also raised concerns over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, saying many inmates, particularly those without financial resources, face prolonged detention in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food or healthcare.
According to Amnesty, some inmates spend years awaiting trial and could remain behind bars without ever being convicted of a crime, describing the situation as inconsistent with acceptable human rights standards.
It called on the Nigerian government to urgently improve conditions in custodial centres, provide adequate healthcare and ensure that the treatment of inmates complies with best practices, human rights obligations and international standards.
The call comes amid ongoing efforts in Kano to address congestion in custodial facilities. The Kano State Council for Prerogative of Mercy and the Nigerian Correctional Service recently began interventions aimed at decongesting correctional centres and improving inmates’ welfare.
