Uncovering the Conditions in NSCDC’s Niger Cell Where 33 Detainees Died

A federal probe panel, appointed to investigate the death of 33 detainees in the Niger State cell of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has described the detention conditions as cruel, inhuman, and degrading. According to a report by Premium Times Nigeria, the panel concluded that the deaths were foreseeable and preventable.

Our investigation reveals the harrowing stories of the detainees who died. The report by Premium Times Nigeria states that the detainees, including 14 children and 19 adults, were allegedly subjected to inhumane treatment and deprived of basic necessities. The detainees, who were mostly illegal miners, were detained for several weeks before their deaths.

According to the report, the male cell was particularly bad. The detainees were made to sleep on the floor without any mattresses. They were also denied access to clean water, food, and medical care. The situation in the female cell was barely better. There was also ‘no drinking water’, except from relatives. The toilet was also ‘non-functional’.

The report by Vanguard News corroborates these findings. It states that the detainees drank urine and sweat in an attempt to quench their thirst due to the lack of clean water. The report further states that the detainees were denied access to medical care, and the conditions in the cell were so bad that many of them contracted various illnesses.

The federal probe panel is expected to release its full report soon. The panel was set up by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, following the deaths of the detainees. The panel is expected to recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future.