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Two Prison Inmates Killed, Others Injured After Transformer Blast Near Akwa Ibom Custodial Centre

Published by admin on November 14th, 2025.

Two Prison Inmates Killed, Others Injured After Transformer Blast Near Akwa Ibom Custodial Centre

A transformer explosion close to the Akwa Ibom State Custodial Centre in Uyo has claimed the lives of two inmates awaiting trial and left two others injured. The incident, which reportedly occurred about two weeks ago, plunged the facility into darkness and destroyed several electrical devices.

Witnesses said a high-tension cable snapped and fell onto a section of the facility, causing a fatal electric surge that struck the inmates.

Confirming the development, the Akwa Ibom State Controller of Corrections, Frank Okonkwo, described the event as tragic and deeply unfortunate. He explained that the victims were hurled from where they had been seated during the blast and were immediately taken to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital by the centre’s medical team, but doctors pronounced them dead on arrival.

Okonkwo noted that although the inmates had been charged with conspiracy, kidnapping, and armed robbery, they remained legally presumed innocent. He added that the families of the deceased had been informed, with one already completing arrangements to retrieve the body. He stressed, however, that the corpses would only be released after all investigations had been concluded.

According to him, “The explosion caused extensive damage, not just to our facility but also to the families of the deceased inmates. PHEDC officials traced the blast to a voltage surge, which destroyed all our electrical appliances, including computers and equipment in the barracks and the residence of the officer in charge. The most painful part is the loss of those two inmates who could not survive the electrocution.”

The controller recalled that the same transformer had failed in the past and urged the appropriate authorities to take urgent corrective action to prevent a recurrence. He added that the corrections service’s legal department had begun a full investigation and would submit a detailed report soon.

Okonkwo also announced plans for a rehabilitation and empowerment initiative aimed at inmates who had completed various training programmes while in custody. He said the command hoped to support about 30 inmates nearing release, providing them with starter packs in trades such as tailoring, carpentry, barbing, and welding. Beneficiaries will be selected from custodial centres in Uyo, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, and Eket.

He explained that the goal is to help rehabilitated inmates reintegrate successfully into society and reduce the chances of reoffending. “These are individuals who have embraced our reform programmes and gained useful skills. We want to support their transition back into the community in a meaningful way,” he said.

The Uyo Custodial Centre is one of Nigeria’s medium-security facilities under the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). In recent years, it has continued to struggle with deteriorating infrastructure, unreliable power supply, and persistent overcrowding.