The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) in Akwa Ibom state has announced the loss of two inmates to an electricity transformer explosion near the Uyo Custodial Centre.

The State Controller of Corrections, Frank Okonkwo, in a disclosure on Thursday, said the tragedy that happened a fortnight ago also claimed the lives of two officials of the NCoS and destroyed all electrical appliances.

Okonkwo said the victims were awaiting trials for conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbery, describing the incident as unfortunate.

According to him, the explosion from the nearby transformer snapped a high-voltage wire, causing a portion of the NCoS facility to drop and resulting in a total blackout in the area.

Okonkwo narrated, ?When that explosion occurred at the transformer, officials of PHEDC came and said it was a result of too much voltage. The incident affected us in that it actually destroyed or damaged all electrical appliances, computers, and other equipment in our facility.

?It affected our barracks as well, and even the official residence of the officer in charge. But the most painful aspect of it was that it affected two of our inmates who lost their lives as they were rushed to the hospital.

?They were thrown off from where they were staying, and immediately our medical personnel administered first aid, and rushed them to the University of Uyo Teaching hospital, where they were later confirmed dead.

?It was a big loss, both to themselves and to the inmates, especially when they were just awaiting trial, one of them was standing trial for conspiracy and kidnapping, the other one for armed robbery.?

He said the victims? families have been contacted, and one of them has concluded the processes for the retrieval of the corpse, as the Command would only release the corpse upon completion of investigations.

He recalled that the same transformer had been faulty a few years before, although no lives were lost, and called on the relevant authority to address the issue to prevent recurrence. As the Legal Department had commenced investigating the matter, it would present a comprehensive report accordingly.

He also disclosed plans by the Command to organise an empowerment programme for inmates who have undergone rehabilitation, adding that such inmates have acquired some skills and would be given start-up packs to facilitate their full integration when eventually discharged from prison.

?We are looking at 30 for now because the financing is going to be huge as we are relying mainly on the goodwill of donors and organisations.

He said, ?Those who have acquired various skills while in our custody, skills like tailoring, carpentry, barbing and welding, and we intend to draw the beneficiaries from various custodial centres, Uyo, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene and Eket.

?Those who are serving terms but are on the verge of being discharged between now and December, convicts who have successfully accepted our treatment regime by getting themselves usefully engaged when they were in our custody. Those are the ones we want to show appreciation to by organising this programme.? (Vanguard, but headline rejigged)

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