We don’t feed inmates with cat meat, says Nigerian Correctional Service.

We don’t feed inmates with cat meat, says Nigerian Correctional Service.

Joel Oladele, Abuja

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has described the news that it feeds inmates with cat meat instead of beef as malicious and fake.

In a statement signed by the Assistant Controller of Corrections, Public Relations Officer, Umar Abubakar FCAI on Saturday, he noted that the process involved in food supply to inmates is too strict for anyone to compromise.

He therefore urged the public to disregard the media report in question.      

“The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service, has been drawn to a report in sections of the media alleging that the Command substitutes cat meat for beef in its custodial centres. The  report is not only malicious but untrue and most unfortunate. At best, it exposes the naivety of the author about the processes involved in food supply to inmates. 

“For the avoidance of doubt,  inmates’ ration is awarded to certified vendors who supply raw food stuff to designated custodial centres. 

“A ration committee constituted by the Controller-General comprising the officer in-charge of the centre, a medical officer, welfare officer, ration clerk,  chief warder, and other relevant professionals confirm the wholesomeness before recommendation for payment. 

“The actual cooking is done by the inmates themselves under the supervision of professional caterers, and it is mandatory for  designated officers to have a taste of the food before serving to the inmates. All these processes are documented for official references and, in a nutshell,  show the seriousness attached to inmate feeding by the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service.” Umar noted.

He added that NCS is committed to the welfare of the inmates and can’t be so insensitive to the point of feeding them with cat meat that many people detest as food.

“Besides, it is immoral and insensitive to insinuate that cat, a pet, which many detest as food, will be officially served to a people!

“Nigerian Correctional Service, therefore, wishes to  advise the public to disregard the unfounded information as it remains a figment of the author’s imagination.

“The welfare of inmates remains sacrosanct and the goal of reformation towards safe reunion with the society, unwavering.” He said.