An Independent Investigation Committee probing the deaths of 33 detainees at a Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) facility in Niger State has recommended compensation for the families of the deceased and survivors of the tragedy.
The committee proposed a compensation of 30 million naira for each of the families of the 33 deceased detainees and 10 million naira for each survivor, as part of measures to address the consequences of the incident.
Chairman of the committee and former Deputy Director-General of the State Security Service, Mr Jonathan Kure, stated this while presenting the committee’s report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
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Kure said the investigation, conducted following a presidential directive, established that the detainees died from acute respiratory failure consistent with environmental asphyxia, aggravated by extreme heat, dehydration and inadequate ventilation.
The report revealed that approximately 50 male detainees were confined in a cell measuring about 20 square metres, with inadequate airflow, insufficient drinking water and poor sanitation. Adults and minors were also detained together.
The committee further found that the detainees repeatedly called for help and pleaded for water throughout the night, but officers allegedly failed to respond promptly despite signs that conditions inside the cell had become life-threatening.
The investigation confirmed that 33 detainees died, while 41 others survived. Six of the survivors received treatment at the General Hospital in Minna, while 14 of the deceased were minors.
The committee attributed the incident to overcrowding, negligence, inadequate supervision and failure by officers to respond to distress calls.
Professional Misconduct
It also identified alleged professional misconduct and leadership failures among several NSCDC officers, including the state commandant, and called for appropriate disciplinary action against those found culpable.
The committee dismissed claims that a disease outbreak caused the deaths, stating that the available medical and forensic evidence supported environmental asphyxia as the most likely cause. Allegations that an aerosol substance had been sprayed into the cell were also found to be unsubstantiated.
In addition to the proposed compensation, the committee recommended a comprehensive review of NSCDC operational procedures, improved detention conditions and measures to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy.
Receiving the report, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, assured the victims’ families and Nigerians that the Federal Government would pursue justice and accountability.
The minister said the report would be forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Justice for further judicial action, while the Ministry of Interior would address the administrative issues arising from the findings.
Tunji-Ojo reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensuring that those responsible for wrongdoing are held accountable.
He stressed that every Nigerian life deserves equal protection and assured the families of the victims that justice would be pursued.
The minister said no Nigerian life is more important than another as they assured families of victims that justice must be served.
