An alarming report from an independent investigation committee has unveiled the tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of 33 suspected illegal miners, including 14 minors, while detained at the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The investigation, which was submitted to the Federal Ministry of Interior, highlights severe overcrowding and inhumane conditions that contributed to this devastating incident.

The report indicates that approximately 50 male detainees were crammed into a cell measuring only 12 square metres. This overcrowding was exacerbated by a lack of basic necessities, including drinking water, adequate ventilation, and a functioning toilet. As conditions deteriorated, detainees were forced to resort to drinking their own urine and sweat in a desperate attempt to survive.

Medical personnel from the NSCDC had previously raised alarms about the dangers associated with such overcrowding and the risk of suffocation. However, their warnings went unheeded by the officers in charge. On the evening of September 16, detainees began to show signs of distress, experiencing breathing difficulties, excessive sweating, and severe thirst. Eyewitness accounts reveal that the detainees screamed and banged on the cell door, pleading for water and assistance.

An armoury guard, Ahmed Abubakar Wushishi, reported hearing the desperate cries between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. on September 17. Unfortunately, the night guard allegedly refused to open the cell without armed backup, delaying any potential rescue. By the time the cell was finally opened that morning, the tragic toll had already been taken, with 33 detainees confirmed dead.

The investigation attributes the fatalities to oxygen deprivation, which was worsened by the extreme heat and dehydration within the overcrowded cell. Disturbingly, post-mortem examinations were conducted on only three of the deceased, as the remaining 30 had already been buried by the time authorities took action.

This incident raises serious concerns about the treatment of detainees in Nigeria and the urgent need for reform within the NSCDC. The report serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of neglecting basic human rights and the importance of ensuring humane conditions for all individuals in custody.