NCoS Says Cholera Outbreak at Kano Custodial Centre Has Been Contained

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says a cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano has been contained after laboratory tests confirmed the disease on September 23, 2026. The service said its medical team worked with Kano State public health authorities to investigate the outbreak. NCoS spokesman Chief Superintendent of Corrections JN Osuji disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday.

The incident was first identified on September 17, when an inmate developed vomiting and diarrhoea. The inmate was admitted to the centre’s medical facility, and emergency medical procedures were activated the next morning as treatment and monitoring were intensified. According to the NCoS, the outbreak claimed two lives: one at the custodial centre and another at the Kano State Infectious Diseases Hospital.

Controller-General of Corrections Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche expressed condolences over the deaths. The service said no further mortality has been recorded since the diagnosis and that coordinated interventions brought the outbreak under control. It added that more preventive measures had been launched with the Kano State Government to reduce the risk of future cases.

Nwakuche has directed senior medical personnel from the NCoS national headquarters to visit the facility and continue monitoring. The service also said healthcare remained available across custodial facilities through qualified medical staff. NCoS said disease surveillance, early detection and rapid medical response were being strengthened with relevant public health authorities.

It reassured the public that the health, dignity and welfare of people in custody would continue to be protected, and urged reliance on information issued through official channels.