Port Harcourt — THE Niger Delta Civil Society Coalition (NCSC) has raised an alarm that since the Port Harcourt Prisons jail break some prisoners among the remaining prisoners have been subjected to torture and other degrading treatment by prison officials in a bid to extract information on the jailbreak from them.

A statement issued by NCSC and signed by Anyakwee Nsirimovu (chairman), Robert Azibaola (General Secretary) and Bari-ara Kpalap noted, "We have received specific reports that there are fears for the lives of some prisoners because of the level of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment being perpetrated. These same reports indicate that specialist in this practice have been brought to the prison from Abuja."

Citing the United Nations Torture Convention and other relevant international, regional and national constitution, NSCC said such international bodies frown seriously at the use of torture or any inhuman or degrading treatment as a means of punishment.

"We urge the government at the highest levels to treat these reports seriously and ensure that the matter is immediately investigated. It is indisputable that there is a lack of any information about what is going on inside the prison and relatives of prisoners have been expressing alarm about the fate of their relatives for several days".

Warning that Nigeria is entering a critical phase in its international relationship, NDCSC said", we hope that the government can show its maturity by openly responding to this matter in the manner that it has begun to deal with the killings of civilians in Apo village in Abuja.

"We believe it is imperative that outside observer be granted immediate access now that these allegations can be openly addressed and death with; it is also imperative that the status of prisoners, including those injured and killed be immediately released," the statement added.