An inmate at the Nigerian Correctional Service, Okere Custodial Centre in Warri, Delta State has allegedly died after complications linked to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, (DCP) Richard Egbede, confirmed the incident on Sunday via a telephone interview with our correspondent although the Nigerian Correctional Service, (NCS), has not yet released an official statement beyond the confirmation.
The deceased, identified only as David, who was said to be living with HIV, had consistently refused to take his prescribed antiretroviral drugs despite repeated interventions by prison officials and medical personnel.
“We’ve been giving him the drugs all the time, but he would just keep them without taking them.
“About a month ago, when his condition worsened, we rushed him to the Central Hospital, Warri. He was admitted, treated for two to three days, and discharged back into our custody. We advised him to take his medication seriously, but he still failed to comply.” Egbede said.
The prison chief disclosed that shortly before his death, David developed a mild fever, prompting urgent medical attention within the custodial centre.
“I was with him until about 8 p.m. that evening when we placed him on a drip. His cellmates were very supportive and later, around 2 a.m., his health deteriorated further. In the morning, our medical staff rushed him back to Central Hospital, where doctors placed him on oxygen. Unfortunately, before test results could be released, he passed away,” Egbede disclosed
Egbede dismissed the claim of neglect by prison authorities, insisting that the custodial service provided consistent medical support throughout the late inmate’s illness.
“To the best of my knowledge, if he were alive today, he would testify that we took care of him,” he said.
