33 suspected unlawful miners, together with 14 minors, lose their lives in overcrowded NSCDC cell after consuming urine and sweat

An impartial investigation committee has revealed how 33 suspected unlawful miners, together with 14 minors, misplaced their lives whereas being detained on 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 have been packed right into a cell measuring roughly 12 sq. metres, with out consuming water, sufficient air flow or a functioning rest room.

The circumstances reportedly turned so insufferable that some detainees resorted to consuming urine and sweat to outlive.

The committee revealed that NSCDC medical personnel had warned officers concerning the risks of overcrowding and doable suffocation, however their warnings have been ignored.

On the night of September 16, the detainees started experiencing respiratory difficulties, extreme sweating and extreme thirst. They reportedly screamed and banged on the cell door, begging for water and help.

An armoury guard, Ahmed Abubakar Wushishi, instructed investigators that he heard repeated screams between 1 a.m. and a couple of a.m. on September 17, however the night time guard allegedly refused to open the cell with out armed backup.

By the time the cell was opened that morning, 33 detainees had misplaced their lives.

The committee attributed the incident to oxygen deprivation, worsened by excessive warmth and dehydration.

However, autopsy examinations have been performed on solely three of the victims, because the remaining 30 had already been buried.