Two inmates die in transformer explosion near Uyo Custodial Centre

By Egufe Yafugborhi, Uyo

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Akwa Ibom State Command, has confirmed the decease of 2 inmates pursuing an energy transformer detonation that occurred adjacent the Uyo Custodial Centre astir 2 weeks ago.

The State Controller of Corrections, Frank Okonkwo, disclosed this connected Thursday, describing the incidental arsenic tragic and unfortunate. He said 2 correctional officers besides sustained injuries, portion respective electrical appliances wrong the installation were destroyed.

According to Okonkwo, the detonation occurred erstwhile a adjacent transformer malfunctioned, causing a high-voltage cablegram to drawback and autumn wrong a conception of the custodial centre, resulting successful a full powerfulness outage.

“When the detonation occurred, officials of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) explained that it was owed to excessive voltage. The surge destroyed our electrical appliances, including computers, and affected our barracks and the authoritative residence of the serviceman successful charge,” Okonkwo said.

“Sadly, 2 inmates were affected. Our aesculapian squad gave them archetypal assistance and rushed them to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, wherever they were aboriginal confirmed dead. It was a large loss, particularly since they were inactive awaiting trial.”

Okonkwo said 1 of the deceased inmates was facing proceedings for conspiracy and kidnapping, portion the different was charged with equipped robbery.

He added that the families of the deceased had been contacted, with 1 already completing the indispensable procedures to retrieve the body. However, the corpses would lone beryllium released aft the ongoing probe is concluded.

The Controller recalled that the aforesaid transformer had developed a responsibility a fewer years ago, though without casualties, and urged applicable authorities to urgently code the recurring contented to forestall a repetition of the incident.

He further disclosed that the Command is readying an empowerment programme for inmates who person undergone rehabilitation and accomplishment acquisition training, to assistance them reintegrate into nine upon release.

“We are targeting 30 inmates for present due to the fact that of backing limitations. Those who person acquired skills specified arsenic tailoring, carpentry, barbing, and welding from assorted custodial centres — Uyo, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, and Eket — volition person start-up enactment earlier discharge,” helium explained.

Okonkwo said the inaugural would promote reformed inmates to go productive members of nine and trim the likelihood of reoffending.