An independent investigation committee has revealed how 33 suspected illegal miners, including 14 minors, lost their lives while being detained at the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
According to the committee’s report submitted to the Federal Ministry of Interior, about 50 male detainees were packed into a cell measuring approximately 12 square metres, without drinking water, adequate ventilation or a functioning toilet.
The conditions reportedly became so unbearable that some detainees resorted to drinking urine and sweat to survive.
The committee revealed that NSCDC medical personnel had warned officers about the dangers of overcrowding and possible suffocation, but their warnings were ignored.
On the evening of September 16, the detainees began experiencing breathing difficulties, excessive sweating and severe thirst. They reportedly screamed and banged on the cell door, begging for water and assistance.
An armoury guard, Ahmed Abubakar Wushishi, told investigators that he heard repeated screams between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on September 17, but the night guard allegedly refused to open the cell without armed backup.
By the time the cell was opened that morning, 33 detainees had lost their lives.
The committee attributed the incident to oxygen deprivation, worsened by extreme heat and dehydration.
However, post-mortem examinations were conducted on only three of the victims, as the remaining 30 had already been buried.
