Nigeria: 33 Detainees, Including 14 Minors, Die in Overcrowded Cell.
An official investigation has linked the deaths of 33 detainees, including 14 minors, in Minna, Nigeria, to overcrowding, poor ventilation and a lack of water.
PANM — An official investigation in Nigeria has revealed that 33 young men, including 14 minors, died in an overcrowded detention cell in Minna, Niger State, after being held in poor conditions.
The victims were arrested in September by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over alleged illegal gold mining.
According to the investigation, the detention cell was overcrowded and poorly ventilated. Extreme heat, a lack of fresh air and insufficient water reportedly contributed to the deaths.
The head of the investigation, Jonathan Kure, described the incident as a tragedy that could have been prevented and condemned the detention conditions as cruel and inhumane.
The commission has called on the authorities to improve conditions in detention facilities and take urgent steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
