Inmates at the Jos Correctional Center in Plateau State staged a protest on Friday due to the economic hardship affecting the nation.
The protest began after the inmates were informed about the reduction in food portions at the correctional center.
They refused to follow orders from officials and skipped breakfast during the protest.
The inmates gathered in the center of the prison yard, shouting loudly. Custodial officials dispersed them using tear gas to return them to their rooms.
The Comptroller of the Jos Correctional Center, Raphael Ibinuhi, confirmed the protest, attributing it to the high cost of living.
He said, “The problem has to do with the high cost of goods in the market. The contractor in charge of the foods said they are being forced by the price of food items to reduce the size of the plate of foods.
“So, it is the food size that provoked the protest. I don’t think the protest is necessary because the food challenge and the cost of items is a national issues that the federal government is already addressing.
“And I want to believe that since it is a national issue, whatever step taken by the federal government to address it will be felt everywhere in the country including the Correctional centers.”