8,246 mentally ill inmates are in custody nationwide – NCoS

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says no fewer than 8,246 inmates in custodial centres across the country are living with mental health conditions.

Assistant Controller General of Corrections in charge of Medical Services, Dr. Glory Essien, disclosed the figure on Tuesday, August 12, in Abuja during a public hearing by the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture, and Other Inhumane Treatment by the NCoS.

“We have 8,246 inmates with mental health conditions in our custodial centres,” Essien said, adding that the loss of freedom alone can trigger psychological distress. “From the moment someone is brought in… that instant loss of freedom can trigger something. Some begin to show signs of disturbed behaviour almost immediately, as if something in their mind has shifted.”

She explained that trained inmate leaders help staff detect early signs of distress, such as withdrawal or refusal to eat, but admitted the scale of the problem far outweighs resources. “If you’re in a facility housing 500 to 1,000 inmates, and you’re the only attending doctor, nurse, or psychologist, it’s simply not possible to monitor everyone individually,” she said.

Essien cited shortages of drugs, staff, and transport as major hurdles. “Mental illness is chronic. It’s not like malaria, where a single dose clears up the issue,” she noted.

Assistant Controller General of Corrections in charge of Pharmaceutical Services, Mohammed Bashir, said the government is trying to meet the health needs of inmates but admitted funding is insufficient. “Money has been appropriated, but is the money enough? No,” he said, revealing that sanitary pads for menstruating inmates alone cost over four million naira monthly.

On mental health treatment, Bashir added: “We have partnership with psychiatric and psychological associations… consultants usually go to about 12 designated custodial centres that have a large number of these cases.” He, however, admitted that medications often run out within weeks.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, made a direct appeal for wider support. “Please come to Macedonia and help us. We are in dire need of psychiatric and psychological aid in remote states beyond Abuja and Lagos,” she said, urging professionals to work outside major cities.

Ajani emphasised the need for public-private partnerships, saying, “We can approach companies that can give us drugs as CSR; they do it… Do it now. Build a bridge and empower younger people to be able to sustain that bridge that you are building.

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