November 16, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Federal Capital Territory Command, has dismissed reports alleging that female inmates across the country are being denied menstrual hygiene support.
The rebuttal follows a recent narrative suggesting that women held at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Suleja, were “left without menstrual care”, a claim the Service says is entirely false and misleading.
In a statement on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, DSC Adamu Samson Duza, said the allegations do not reflect the situation in any custodial facility under the Command. He noted that the NCoS provides sanitary pads and hygiene kits to all female inmates monthly and at no cost, with each distribution documented in inmates’ welfare registers.
Duza emphasised that the Correctional Service operates in line with its statutory mandate and international standards on inmate welfare, ensuring that women in custody receive the necessary support for menstrual health. He added that every custodial centre maintains a functional healthcare unit staffed with qualified nurses and doctors who attend to all medical needs, including menstrual-related issues, and provide free consultations, medication, and referrals when required.
He further highlighted the Service’s collaboration with development partners, civil society organisations and faith-based groups, who routinely donate sanitary products and conduct menstrual hygiene awareness programmes.
Duza referenced a recent donation of sanitary pads by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) as one example of the ongoing support available to female inmates.
According to the NCoS spokesperson, these partnerships reinforce the Service’s internal welfare initiatives and debunk narratives suggesting that female inmates are overlooked.
“This is a testament to the power of collaboration”, he said, stressing that the correctional centres remain committed to improving inmates’ overall well-being.
Duza reaffirmed the NCoS FCT Command’s commitment to the dignity and humane treatment of all inmates, in line with the Nigerian Constitution, the Nelson Mandela Rules and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. He maintained that inmate welfare continues to be a priority and must not be misrepresented.
The spokesperson urged journalists and commentators to verify information before publication to avoid misleading the public on sensitive issues related to correctional operations. He warned that unverified claims distort public understanding of the Service’s ongoing reform efforts.
He assured that the Command remains open to scrutiny and committed to transparency, professionalism and accountability as it continues to uphold best practices in the management and welfare of inmates.
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