The Nigerian Correctional Service in Akwa Ibom State has confirmed that two awaiting trial inmates died after an explosion from a faulty transformer near the Uyo Custodial Centre. The incident, which occurred two weeks ago, also injured two others and damaged electrical appliances within the facility.
The state controller of corrections, Frank Okonkwo, said the high voltage wire snapped and fell on a section of the centre, causing the electrocution. He said the inmates were rushed to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital where they were pronounced dead, adding that the families had been contacted and that one had completed the process for retrieving the corpse.
Mr Okonkwo said investigations are under way and that the command will release the bodies only after the process is concluded. He noted that the transformer had experienced faults in the past and called on relevant authorities to address the issue to avoid further incidents.
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He added that the command is also working on rehabilitation and empowerment plans for inmates due for discharge, including training in tailoring, carpentry, barbing and welding, with support from donors across the Uyo, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene and Eket custodial centres.
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