Nigerian Correctional Service denies detaining minor at Kano custodial facility

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Nigerian Correctional Service, Kano Command has dismissed as false, media reports that it is currently detaining an underaged inmate at Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre.
This is contained in a statement by SC Musbahu Lawan Kofar-Nassarawa, spokesman of the Service in Kano on Monday.
Kofar-Nassarawa emphasized that it has no juvenile offender in any of its Custodial Centers “which are exclusively designated to keep inmates aged 18 years and above.”
According to Mr Kofar-Nassarawa, the said inmate presented in what he described as misleading report had been confirmed to be presently 19 years and 2 months old.
He added that the inmate in question “was remanded in the said Custodial Center for the offence of Armed Robbery by Chief Magistrate Court (CMC) Gyade-Gyade Kano on 26/January 2023 When he was 18years and 6 months old.”
“The Command wishes to inform the public that in no circumstances does it admit minor into its Facilities as such Classes of offenders are usually refered to either Bostal Training Institute or Remand Home Goron Dutse located in Kano,” he added.
The spokesman said “It is our duty always to Reform, Rehabilitate and Reintegrate offenders back to the Society by rebranding their lives to become productive and responsible Citizens upon release.
“It is obvious that the said report is a tactics coined to evade and disrupt the course of Justice,”
He therefore said the command calls on reporters and media personnel to verify and confirm tentative report before going to press.
“The Command”s Public Relation Officer is always available and should be contacted for Confirmation of report to avoid misleading the Public ,most especially on sensitive issues that pertains to National Security.
“The Command therefore enjoins the general public to disregard and discountenance of the report as a figment of the imagination of the reporter.
“We are therefore calling on the general public to support the Command as we work towards protecting them and making the society safer,” he appealed.