A former Kaduna Central lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has expressed concern over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State. Sani, who has experienced prolonged detention in a crowded cell, warned of the dangers of overcrowding. He shared his experience on his social media handle, describing the cruelty of detention and the risks of asphyxiation, heat, and poor ventilation.
The incident occurred on September 15 and 16, when the NSCDC arrested suspected illegal miners during operations in Niger State. Survivors reported that about 65 detainees were held in an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell, leading to a struggle for air and subsequent deaths. The cause of the deaths is still under investigation, with the NSCDC initially attributing them to a suspected disease outbreak, while survivors alleged that overcrowding, heat, poor ventilation, and dehydration were contributing factors.
Senator Shehu Sani's experience with detention dates back to 1995-1998, when he was imprisoned by the late Gen. Sani Abacha military regime. He described the conditions in crowded cells as "hell on earth," where even breathing is a privilege reserved for the strong. Sani's comments come as the Niger State Government has ordered forensic examinations and autopsies, while the Federal Government, NSCDC, and police investigate the incident.
The Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigations. Other NSCDC personnel involved in the incident have been detained in Abuja. Senator Sani has previously spoken publicly about his own experience of incarceration, including his time in Kiri Kiri and Port Harcourt prisons before serving what he described as his "life imprisonment" in Aba Prisons, Abia State.
Sani was convicted and sentenced by the Abacha military junta and released following the restoration of democratic rule in 1999. His comments on the miners' deaths have sparked a renewed call for accountability and improved detention conditions. The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of detainees in Nigeria and the need for reforms in the country's detention facilities.
The NSCDC has faced criticism for its handling of the incident, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The Federal Government has also been urged to take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. As the investigation continues, Senator Sani's comments serve as a reminder of the need for urgent reforms in Nigeria's detention facilities.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many Nigerians demanding justice for the deceased miners and improved conditions for detainees. The government has been urged to take concrete steps to address the issue of overcrowding in detention facilities and ensure that detainees are treated humanely. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Key points
- Senator Shehu Sani warns of dangers of overcrowded cells based on his own experience of detention.
- 37 suspected illegal miners died in NSCDC custody in Niger State due to alleged overcrowding and poor ventilation.
- The Niger State Government has ordered forensic examinations and autopsies into the incident.
