The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) in Plateau has suspended visits to the centres as measures to prevent the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19).
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Ms Martha Banda, the NCS Public Relations Officer (PRO), disclosed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Jos.
Banda, who explained that the directive was issued by M Samuel Aguda, Controller in-charge of Command, aimed at ensuring safety of prisoners and staff members.
She said the suspension was temporary in order to discourage contact between visitors and inmates at the correctional centres.
According to her, the command has created an isolation centre to cater for suspected cases within the prison yards.
“In compliance with the directives by the Controller-General of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) Ja’afaru Ahmed, on emergency response and measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the nation’s centres.
“This is part of the proactive steps by the command to control the spread of the deadly disease and to ensure the safety of inmates and their care givers,” Banda said
The PRO urged all inmates and officers working in the prison yards to maintain proper and regular hand washing, adding that sanitisers and running water have been provided in all facilities
She added that medical personnel are on standby to screen and attend to any case, sensitising officers and inmates on how to curb the disease by maintaining good hygiene
She said the command would also collaborate with the state Ministry of Health and National Centre for Disease Control on areas of support and intervention.