The Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, has described it as prejudicial to label the 37 miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State as “illegal miners,” arguing that the deceased are no longer alive to defend themselves.
The development follows the reported deaths of detainees who were being held by the NSCDC after they were arrested as suspected illegal gold miners in Niger State.
A survivor of the incident has also recounted the conditions inside the detention facility, alleging severe overcrowding and extreme heat.
According to the survivor, 17 people were initially locked inside a small room before more detainees were brought in. He said the occupants complained about the limited space and intense heat but were allegedly kept inside.
He further alleged that an unidentified substance, which he described as resembling perfume, was sprayed inside the room.
Speaking on Arise News, Sanusi said Amnesty International’s preliminary investigation raised serious concerns about the conditions under which the detainees were held.
“Based on the investigation we have conducted so far, the cell where they were held was designed to accommodate no more than 10 people, yet 67 people were detained there,” he said.
Sanusi added that the weather conditions during the period were also a major concern.
“Between Tuesday, the 15th, and Wednesday, the 16th, Minna was experiencing extremely hot weather,” he stated.
He described the alleged detention conditions as serious human rights issues, particularly the decision to hold dozens of people in a facility designed for a much smaller number.
“These are serious human rights issues that we need to be talking about, particularly the decision to detain 67 people in a facility meant to accommodate no more than 10,” Sanusi said.
