Today, I share my experience of coming face to face with prisoners who found themselves in that environment for one reason or another. They cut across different age groups, young men, the middle-aged, and even the elderly. Notably, I also observed the presence of a white man among the inmates.
It is one place which nobody wants to see him or herself in because it is a secure, state-authorized institution where individuals convicted of crimes are confined for a specified period, as well as a place where accused persons are held while awaiting trial.
It is a vital component of the criminal justice system, established to protect society, punish offenders, and promote rehabilitation.
Prisons function to punish, incapacitate, deter, and reform offenders, thereby ensuring public safety.
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As I mentioned earlier, it is a place most people dread, yet many find themselves in prison through different paths, some as a result of deliberate criminal actions, and others due to poor choices, pressure, ignorance of the law, or challenging life circumstances.
That is why once arrested, they are processed through the justice system, which ultimately determines their confinement.
Many people end up in prison not only because of crimes committed, but also as a consequence of social challenges such as poverty, lack of guidance, substance abuse, and limited opportunities, all of which can influence life-altering decisions.
However, in my own case, my presence in Kurmawa Prison had nothing to do with any of the reasons stated above. I was not there because of crime, violence, or deliberate wrongdoing, but because of circumstances entirely different from the usual paths that lead people to prison.
That is because I was there neither as an offender nor as an accused person awaiting trial, but for something entirely different, something I hold an immeasurable passion for.
It was deep love and passion rather than any violation of the law that led me through the prison gates into a place few willingly enter.
The joy is the sporting event which would give the prisoners the sense of forgetfulness of the harsh reality of prison life.
Therefore, I was quietly resting on my bed in the early hours of Wednesday night when the soft vibration of my phone drew my attention.
Glancing at the screen, I saw that the call was from CSN Jamilu Uba Adamu, the sports officer of the Kano State Command of the National Drugs Law and Enforcement Agency.
Without hesitation, I picked and answered the call and after exchanging warm pleasantries, he extended an invitation for me to cover his command’s visit to the Kurmawa Correctional Center in Kano city, where a novelty football match was to be held involving both his team and that of the prison inmates.
At first, I asked in disbelief, “Kurmawa Prison, did you say?” Jamilu Uba replied in the affirmative and went on to insist on my presence, emphasizing that I was needed to cover the event for proper documentation and eventual publication.
To be honest, I was initially terrified, for it was a place I had never set foot in, a place whose very name often stirred fear and unease in my mind.
I had never even considered it, let alone imagined going anywhere near it, which made the invitation both unsettling and intimidating.
But after much thought, I pushed the fear of the place out of my mind and gathered the courage to go, at least to see what the environment looked like and to understand how the people there were living their daily lives.
The program was officially scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m., but the officer who invited me advised that I arrive by 10:00 a.m., which was the tentative time set for the actual commencement of the event.
This allowed me some extra time to gather my thoughts, get comfortable, and mentally prepare before the proceedings began.
When I arrived at the prison yard a few minutes past 10 a.m., I approached a group of armed men stationed a short distance from the prison gate.
I identified myself to them and explained the purpose of my visit, making sure they understood that I was there in an official capacity to cover the event.
They directed me toward the main gate of the facility, instructing me to knock and inform whoever was there about the purpose of my visit.
Their straightforward guidance left no room for doubt, and I walked toward the gate, feeling a mix of anticipation and curiosity about what awaited me inside.
As instructed, I knocked on the gate, and a voice suddenly came through a small opening in the metal. “Why are you here, and what is your purpose?” the person asked, his tone cautious but authoritative.
I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and explained my mission which is to cover the novelty football match between the inmates and the NDLEA team, hoping this would grant me entry into the facility.
My words were met with a brief silence, and then, slowly, the small yet remarkably strong gate of the facility began to creak open, revealing a glimpse of the world inside.
Standing there was a tall, slim officer who asked me to set down my laptop bag and the handset I had with me, explaining that such items were not allowed inside the facility.
Without a second thought, I removed both of my handsets, placed them inside my laptop bag, and handed it over to him. He received it, securely stored it, and then handed me a visitor tag to hang around my neck.
He then asked me to wait for an officer who would assign someone to escort me to the final gate before entry, which I did patiently.
While waiting for the officer to escort me to the final gate before entry, a lawyer named Auwal Ringim, whom we had served with as officials of FAAN Staff School, Kano years ago came in.
As usual, we exchanged greetings, but before we could say much, the officer who was to usher me in arrived to lead the way, and my journey continued.
When we reached the final gate, he handed me over to another officer in charge of the gate, who then called someone named Tijjani to take me inside.
When we reached another gate, the final one before entering the main area, I was asked to take a seat and wait for the officer who would escort me to the match venue.
It was a brief pause, yet it gave me a moment to gather my thoughts and observe the surroundings before stepping into the heart of the facility.
Suddenly, a man dressed in red sportswear arrived to lead me further inside. However, before we continued trekking to the football pitch, where the match had already begun, I asked him to help me with a sheet of paper to jot down points, as my bag containing my notes had been left at the reception.
He immediately called another officer whose position I can’t remember his name for a piece of paper which he produced without delay.
The facility was expansive, bordered on either side by high cement-block walls, with old, weathered buildings scattered across the center. I guessed those were the quarters where the inmates were housed.
The atmosphere felt both imposing and oddly lively, as some inmates had been allowed out of their cells, their voices and movements filling the air with a mix of energy and tension.
From a distance, I began to hear the excited shouts and cheers of the football spectators, a clear sign that the game was already in full swing.
The cheering echoed across the compound, growing louder and more energetic as we drew closer to the arena, hinting at the excitement and intensity of the match underway.
We passed a few blocks and continued toward the prison’s football arena, weaving through the compound as the sounds of the ongoing match grew louder with each step.
We arrived while the game was already in progress, and to my surprise, the field was quite small, barely half the size of a standard football pitch. Yet, it was clearly well-used, a space where the inmates could come alive, play freely, and momentarily forget the confines of their daily lives.
As soon as we arrived, I was shown to a seat beside an NDLEA officer, while other guests including the chief guest and host were already settling into their places.
The atmosphere around the arena was lively, filled with anticipation and the buzz of spectators watching the match.
No more than five minutes after I had taken my seat, the inmates scored their first goal, a moment that was met with a thunderous ovation from the prison spectators. The cheers echoed across the arena, filling the air with excitement and energy.
The goal spurred the visitors into action, and they fought tirelessly, eventually scoring an equalizer just before the end of the first half.
The intensity of the game and the determination of both sides kept the spectators fully engaged and on the edge of their seats.
Eventually, the visitors scored the winning goal just a few minutes before the end of the game, sparking another wave of wild celebration among the spectators.
Cheers, applause, and excited shouts filled the arena, creating an electrifying atmosphere as the match drew to a thrilling close.
Immediately after the match, the players and other inmates were called closer for a brief lecture on the dangers of drug abuse.
The atmosphere shifted from the excitement of the game to a more serious and attentive mood as the discussion on awareness and prevention began.
The Commander of the Kano State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Alhaji Dahiru Lawan, was the first to address the gathering.
He explained that the purpose of their visit was to sensitize the inmates about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of staying away from drugs, emphasizing the need for personal responsibility and positive choices.
The Kano State NDLEA Commander then cautioned the inmates to steer clear of drug abuse, highlighting its severe and destructive consequences.
He stressed that involvement in drugs not only destroys physical and mental health but also leads to broken families, missed opportunities, and lifelong regret.
He then praised and commended the Kurmawa team for their brilliant and impressive performance, noting that their skill and teamwork had given them an edge over the NDLEA team.
CN Lawan explained that their visit was part of the Command’s broader strategy to combat drug abuse through education, advocacy, and rehabilitation, particularly among vulnerable groups.
He emphasized that the agency remains committed to building a healthier, drug-free society by actively engaging communities and inmates alike.
In a show of personal support and appreciation, he announced a donation of One Hundred Thousand Naira (₦100,000) to the inmates’ team.
He also revealed that his Command had provided additional items, including sacks of gari, sets of jerseys, footballs, and other essential materials.
Noting that these gestures were meant to encourage positive engagement, recreation, and rehabilitation among the inmates, while reinforcing the message of healthy living, discipline, and the importance of avoiding drug abuse.
He further instructed Ahmed Garba Yaro Yaro, who was among them, to take special note of the standout players and ensure they were connected with a football team after their terms, providing them with an opportunity to continue developing their talent.
Immediately afterward, the NDLEA official, CSN Ibrahim Zubairu, took the floor to highlight the devastating effects of substance abuse, explaining how it destroys lives, fuels criminal behavior, and undermines both personal growth and societal development.
He urged the inmates to make the most of the reformative programs available to them, emphasizing that turning away from drugs could open the door to a better and more productive future.
CSN Ibrahim Zubairu then brought out two substances and demonstrated their harmful effects, showing how they rapidly corroded a ‘takeaway’ container.
He explained that a similar destructive process occurs inside the human body when these substances are abused, gradually breaking down vital organs and systems, and ultimately threatening one’s health and life.
The officer further explained to the inmates that drug abuse has been a major factor driving many young people into destructive behaviors and criminal activities, causing immense pain, sorrow, and irreparable loss to families.
He emphasized that, in numerous cases, the misuse of drugs has resulted in tragic situations where the lives of loved ones were lost, leaving behind lasting trauma, grief, and deep regret for those left behind.
Finally, CSN Ibrahim Zubairu urged the inmates to reflect on these harsh realities, make wiser choices, and steer clear of actions that could bring harm to themselves or to those they care about most.
Also addressing the gathering, the Officer-in-Charge of the Kurmawa Correctional Centre, DCC Rambo Isa, commended the NDLEA Commander and his team for their visit, describing it as both timely and impactful.
He expressed his gratitude for the sensitization program, noting that it played a crucial role in educating the inmates about the dangers of drug abuse.
DCC Rambo Isa also thanked the NDLEA delegation for the various gifts presented to the inmates, emphasizing that such gestures not only boost morale but also contribute positively to ongoing rehabilitation efforts within the facility.
He concluded by announcing a cash donation of Thirty Thousand Naira (₦30,000) to the team, reinforcing the center’s commitment to supporting meaningful programs and activities for the inmates.
One thing I must not fail to mention, which impressed me greatly, was the cordial and surprisingly friendly relationship I observed between the inmates and the prison warders.
Despite the strict rules and structured environment, a genuine sense of mutual respect and understanding clearly existed between them.
The interactions were marked by patience, guidance, and even light-hearted exchanges, reflecting a balance between discipline and humanity within the facility.
At this juncture, I must sincerely thank the Kano State NDLEA Sports Officer, Jamilu Uba Adamu, for extending the invitation that opened my eyes to both the activities and daily life at Kurmawa Correctional Center.
Were it not for his kind invitation, I would have remained unaware of the facility and the remarkable activities and relationships taking place within its walls.
For sure, Jamilu’s invitation provided me with the rare opportunity to witness firsthand the positive interactions between the inmates and the staff, as well as the meaningful and educational programs being carried out at the center.
