An ex-prison warden, in the early hours of Monday morning, died after succumbing to tuberculosis, FIJ can report.

The warden, whose identity FIJ was unable to ascertain at press time, was an inmate at the Kuje prison, Abuja, and had been there since 2019 for selling bullets to kidnappers and terrorists, according to an insider in the facility.

This insider told FIJ that sometime around 1am on Monday morning, his condition got worse, and fellow inmates used a special signal to call for medical support.

After help arrived, the medical personnel injected the man and said they would return at dawn to take him to a medical facility.

READ ALSO: EXCLUSIVE: Kuje Prison Wardens Turn Into Beasts After Jailbreak, Torture, Starve Inmates

“When they left, around 5 o’clock, the problem started again. So we still called the emergency [unit], but at this time, the officers delayed for about 20 minutes before coming,” the insider told FIJ. “The young man’s condition was bad. He couldn’t make it. He died some minutes after 6 am.

“It was during that period of 20 minutes that inmates started grumbling.”

Earlier, media outlets reported that a riot ensued and inmates attempted to escape, but this insider said it was a mere fabrication and that there was calm.

“We are even surprised that news outlets said that there was a riot. But I tell you, the yard was cool. No riot,” the insider told FIJ.

“He was a prison officer being charged for terrorism and armed robbery. He should be in his late 40s. He had TB,” they added.

READ ALSO: EXCLUSIVE: Name, Photo of ONLY Security Agent Killed by Terrorists at Kuje Prison

Earlier, Chukwuedo Humphrey, Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Services, FCT Command, confirmed the death of an inmate via a statement issued during the day.

His statement read, “He was immediately placed on special medical management by a combined team of medical personnel in the facility as well as occasional referrals to the University of Abuja Teaching hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja, when necessary.

“Unfortunately, when the inmate’s health deteriorated over the weekend, all efforts by the medical personnel to resuscitate him failed.

“A peaceful prayer session is being organised by the staff and fellow inmates of the deceased for the repose of his soul.

“The Controller of the Command, Ahmed Musa Ahmed, while expressing his condolences to the family and friends of the late inmate, reinstated his commitment to putting the health and general welfare of inmates and staff in the front burner.

“He further advised those on special medical attention to ensure strict adherence to expert instructions to overcome health challenges since drugs are available to them at no cost.”