Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has spoken out about the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State. Sani, who was detained under the military regime of General Sani Abacha between 1995 and 1998, described his experience of prolonged incarceration and related it to the accounts emerging from the NSCDC detention facility in Minna. He expressed his thoughts on the matter via a post on his social media handle on Sunday.
Sani detailed the harsh conditions of overcrowded detention cells, describing them as "hell on earth." He warned of the dangers associated with poor ventilation and extreme heat in such environments. According to Sani, the experience of prolonged detention in a crowded cell is characterized by darkness, asphyxiation, sweat, pungent odour, and tears. He noted that when the heat becomes unbearable, inmates may resort to banging on the wall for some oxygen.
The suspected illegal miners reportedly died after being arrested during operations against illegal mining in Niger State on September 15 and 16. About 65 detainees were held in an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell at the NSCDC facility in Minna. Survivors reported that some detainees struggled to breathe before several of them died. The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of detainees in NSCDC custody.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation. Initially, the NSCDC linked the incident to a suspected disease outbreak. However, accounts from survivors alleged that overcrowding, excessive heat, poor ventilation, and dehydration contributed to the deaths. The Niger State Government has taken steps to investigate the incident, including ordering forensic examinations and autopsies.
The Federal Government, NSCDC, and police are also investigating the incident. The Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, was suspended pending the outcome of the investigations. Other personnel allegedly connected to the incident were reportedly detained in Abuja. Sani has previously spoken publicly about his own experience in detention during the Abacha regime.
In November 2025, Sani disclosed that he spent time in Kiri Kiri and Port Harcourt prisons before being transferred to Aba Prisons in Abia State. He stated that he served his own life imprisonment in Aba Prisons, Abia State, after spending a year in Kiri Kiri and Port Harcourt prisons. Sani was convicted and sentenced by the Abacha military junta and was released following the restoration of democratic rule in 1999.
Sani expressed his feelings about the incident, stating that those directly or indirectly involved must face the full wrath of the law for the rest of their lives. The incident has highlighted the need for improved detention facilities and better treatment of detainees. The government and relevant authorities must take concrete steps to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Key points
- Shehu Sani recalls his detention experience under General Sani Abacha's regime.
- 37 suspected illegal miners died in NSCDC custody in Niger State.
- Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the miners' deaths.
