Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has weighed in on the investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). In a live interview on Channels Television, Bago stated that the account of survivors alleging that a substance was sprayed inside the detention facility cannot be ruled out. This statement comes as authorities continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
According to Bago, the exact cause of the deaths has yet to be established, with investigators considering possible suffocation arising from overcrowding as well as exposure to hazardous substances. The governor emphasized that these factors are being examined alongside allegations concerning the conditions in which the miners were detained. He stressed that a thorough investigation is required to establish the precise circumstances that led to the deaths.
A survivor had reportedly alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside the cell where detainees were being held, after which some of those detained began to collapse. The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak but later clarified that the actual cause had not been established. The Corps stated that the cause would be determined through medical and laboratory examinations.
Governor Bago disclosed that some of the victims vomited blood, while foam was observed around the mouths of some of the deceased. Additionally, the skin of some of the deceased showed cuts. These findings, he added, would have to be subjected to medical and forensic examination before any conclusion could be reached on what caused the deaths.
The governor's comments come as authorities work to establish what happened inside the NSCDC detention facility and determine whether any individual or institution should be held responsible. Bago emphasized that competing accounts and physical evidence would need to be examined by medical and forensic experts.
The incident has raised concerns about the conditions in which detainees are held by the NSCDC. The governor's statement suggests that the authorities are taking a comprehensive approach to the investigation, considering various factors that may have contributed to the deaths. The outcome of the investigation is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
The investigation into the deaths of the 37 detainees is ongoing, with the authorities working to establish the facts and determine the cause of the incident. Governor Bago's comments indicate that the authorities are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
Key points
- The Niger State governor's comments suggest that the authorities are considering various factors, including the possible use of a substance sprayed inside the detention facility, in their investigation into the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners.
- The governor emphasized that the exact cause of the deaths has yet to be established, with investigators considering possible suffocation arising from overcrowding as well as exposure to hazardous substances.
- The authorities are working to establish what happened inside the NSCDC detention facility and determine whether any individual or institution should be held responsible for the deaths.
