Inmates of Kuje Prison, Abuja, on Monday refused to take their breakfast to protest against fresh security measures in the prison.
Our correspondent gathered that the inmates sought a reversal of the measures, which they described as "oppressive and insensitive."
The authorities reportedly introduced the fresh measures, which among others, restricted the inmates' access to visitors in order to secure the facility against external attacks and jailbreaks.
Also, electronic devices were reportedly installed in strategic parts of the prison just as its officials' exposure to inmates were curtailed.
The inmates, our correspondent gathered, were however displeased by the measures, which they said was an attempt to prevent them from seeing their loved ones and enjoying other sundry entitlements.
A source, who confided in our correspondent, said the inmates' refusal to have their breakfast, heightened tension in the prison.
He said, "To press home their demands, the inmates simply refused to take their breakfast and insisted on seeing the Controller-General of Prisons and this heightened tension because prison personnel were afraid that the situation may get out of hand."
The Prison's Public Relations Officer, Ope Fatuminu, who confirmed the development, however, said the situation was under control.
Hesaid, "The inmates misconstrued the reason for the new security measures.They thought the authorities would not allow them to have visitors, but we have explained to them that their entitlements were still intact. So everything is back to normal."
The Punch
I do not think they are hungry. They shouldn't have gotten themeselves in that condition in the first place. A prison is not a good thing.