An independent investigation has revealed that approximately 50 male detainees, including children, were crammed into a 12-square-metre cell at the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna before 33 detainees died in custody in September. The investigation committee found that the cell was severely overcrowded, poorly ventilated, and lacked basic facilities, including running water and a functioning toilet.
The deaths occurred between the evening of September 16 and the morning of September 17, 2026, with medical evidence pointing to acute respiratory failure consistent with environmental asphyxia. The report said the detention conditions were unlawful and physically unsuitable for the number of people held there. The committee stated that the 12m² male cell was also legally and physically unsuitable for the number held in it.
The committee listed the cell's deficiencies as a metal door, poor ventilation, no reliable lighting, no running water, and no functional toilet. The conditions were aggravated by the failure of officers to reduce the number of detainees or arrange emergency intervention when people began experiencing distress. State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye Siyaka, admitted that about 50 detainees were crammed into the cell.
The officer in charge of cell guards, Ndamaka Isah Usman, also admitted that he detained about 50 males, including 17 children, in the facility. The committee said the cell's conditions were particularly dangerous because of the number of people held in it, the lack of adequate ventilation, and the absence of basic necessities. The command failed to follow proper procedures for mass arrests and detention, despite the number of people arrested during raids targeting suspected illegal mining activities on September 15 and 16.
The operation was conducted without an approved operational order, proper planning, or consultation with the relevant mining authorities. Adults and minors were held together in breach of child-protection requirements. Fourteen of the 33 deceased detainees were minors, while nine of the 41 survivors were also under 18. The report said officers responsible for the cell failed to act despite prolonged cries and banging from detainees who were struggling inside the overcrowded facility.
The committee identified severe overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, heat exposure, and dehydration as the principal contributing factors to the deaths. It also said the deaths were entirely preventable. The report recommended disciplinary action and prosecution of officers found culpable, as well as reforms to detention procedures, supervision, training, and custodial infrastructure.
The investigation's findings have raised concerns about the treatment of detainees in Nigeria and the need for urgent reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future. The NSCDC has not commented on the report's recommendations, but it is expected that disciplinary action will be taken against officers found responsible for the deaths. The incident has also sparked calls for improved detention facilities and better treatment of detainees in Nigeria.
Key points
- Severe overcrowding and poor ventilation in a NSCDC cell contributed to the deaths of 33 detainees in September.
- The investigation found that the detention conditions were unlawful and physically unsuitable for the number of people held there.
- The report recommended disciplinary action and prosecution of officers found culpable, as well as reforms to detention procedures, supervision, training, and custodial infrastructure.
