Uneasy as HIV-Positive Inmate Dies in Prison in Delta 

By Osaro Michael, Benin

Pandemonium as an inmate of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Okere Custodial Centre in Warri, identified only as David, has died after complications linked to HIV. The incident was confirmed on Sunday morning by the Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, DCP Richard Egbede, in a telephone interview with our correspondent.

He said the deceased, who had been living with HIV, consistently refused to take his prescribed antiretroviral drugs despite repeated interventions by prison officials and medical personnel.

“We’ve been giving him the drugs all the time, but he would just keep them without taking them,” Egbede explained.

“About a month ago, when his condition worsened, we rushed him to the Central Hospital, Warri. He was admitted, treated for two to three days, and discharged back into our custody. We advised him to take his medication seriously, but he still failed to comply.”

The prison chief disclosed that shortly before his death, David developed a mild fever, prompting urgent medical attention within the custodial centre.

“I was with him until about 8 p.m. that evening when we placed him on a drip. His cellmates were very supportive and later, around 2 a.m., his health deteriorated further. In the morning, our medical staff rushed him back to Central Hospital, where doctors placed him on oxygen. Unfortunately, before test results could be released, he passed away,” Egbede narrated.”

DCP Egbede dismissed social media claims suggesting neglect by prison authorities, insisting that the custodial service provided consistent medical support throughout the late inmate’s illness.

“To the best of my knowledge, if he were alive today, he would testify that we took care of him,” he said.

The Nigerian Correctional Service has not yet released an official statement beyond the confirmation provided by the Deputy Comptroller.