Explosion rocks prison, kills 2 awaiting trial inmates

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) in Akwa Ibom State has confirmed the deaths of two inmates awaiting trial at the Uyo Custodial Centre following an electrical accident traced to a malfunctioning transformer.

The state Controller of NCoS, Mr. Frank Okonkwo, told journalists in Uyo on Thursday that the incident also left two correctional officers injured and caused damage to electrical appliances within the facility.

“There was an explosion at a nearby transformer a fortnight ago, this led to a high voltage wire snapping and dropping at a portion of NCoS facility, causing total blackout.

“During that explosion, the two deceased victims were thrown up where they were seated, and were later confirmed dead by doctors at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital,” Okonkwo explained.

Describing the occurrence as tragic, the controller said the families of the deceased had been informed.

“We are mostly pained that the explosion led to the death of two of our inmates. It is quite painful.

“We urge the relevant authorities to address the issue around the faulty transformer to forestall any tragic incident in the future,” he added.