The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed reports that inmates at its facilities are fed with cat meat, instead of beef.
The Service made the denial in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Umar Abubakar.
Abubakar described the reports as wicked, malicious, and most unfortunate, insisting that its food supplies are handled by professionals while the cooking is done by inmates themselves under strict supervision.
“For the avoidance of doubt, inmates’ ration is awarded to certified vendors who supply raw food stuff to designated custodial centres”, he said.
He explained that a ration committee constituted by the Comptroller-General comprising the officer in-charge of the centre, a medical officer, welfare officer, ration clerk, chief warder, and other relevant professionals would confirm the wholesomeness before recommendation for payment.
Abubakar said: “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.
“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.”
