Thirty-three suspected illegal miners died in an overcrowded detention cell in Nigeria’s Niger State in September after being denied adequate ventilation, water and assistance, an investigating panel has found.
The panel, led by Jonathan Kure, said on Tuesday, October 27, that the deaths occurred over 11 hours, between 8:00 pm and 7:00 am, despite detainees repeatedly screaming for help and pleading for water.
According to the report, 74 detainees were held in a 20-square-metre cell with poor airflow, no running water and no functioning toilet.
Medical and forensic evidence attributed the deaths to environmental asphyxia and acute respiratory failure caused by prolonged confinement, worsened by heat stress and dehydration.
The panel described the conditions as “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment”, citing leadership failures and serious institutional lapses within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
It recommended the dismissal and prosecution of officers involved for alleged offences, including murder, criminal negligence, torture and inhuman treatment.
Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Tunji-Ojo, said the report would be forwarded to prosecutors for further action and warned that officers who concealed or attempted to destroy evidence would be suspended.
The panel also recommended compensation of 30 million naira (about $22,360) for each bereaved family and 10 million naira (about $7,450) for each survivor. Fourteen of the 33 deceased detainees were minors.