Senator Shehu Sani has warned about the dangers of overcrowded detention cells following the deaths of suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State.
Sani said overcrowded cells can create serious risks for detainees, particularly when there is inadequate ventilation and limited access to fresh air.
His warning comes amid reports that dozens of miners were detained at an NSCDC facility in Niger State before several of them died. The incident has raised concerns about the conditions under which the detainees were held and the response of security personnel when the situation deteriorated.
Some survivors reportedly described extreme heat, difficulty breathing and overcrowding inside the cell. They also alleged that detainees called for assistance after some people began experiencing serious distress.
The former lawmaker, who has previously spoken about his own experience in detention, stressed the need for authorities to take overcrowding in detention facilities seriously.
The incident has also prompted calls for an investigation to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths. Authorities are expected to determine whether overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, illness, exposure to hazardous substances or other factors contributed to the tragedy.
The NSCDC and other relevant authorities have come under pressure to provide answers to the families of those who died and ensure that anyone found responsible for negligence or misconduct is held accountable.
The Niger miners’ deaths have renewed concerns about detention conditions and the need for security agencies to ensure that facilities holding large numbers of suspects have adequate space, ventilation, medical attention and emergency response arrangements.
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