Inquiry finds 33 Minna detainees died from preventable overcrowding and neglect

An inquiry found that the deaths of 33 detainees in Minna, Nigeria, were entirely preventable, caused by severe overcrowding, poor ventilation, heat and dehydration. Its findings challenge early claims of a disease outbreak and raise serious questions about detention standards and officers’ response to pleas for help.

Fifty people, including adults and minors, were held in a roughly 20-square-metre cell without running water or a functioning toilet; some were detained beyond lawful limits. The detainees, held on suspicion of illegal mining, died on 17 September after officers failed to act on repeated calls for assistance. The inquiry said the mining sites were licensed and recommended compensation of 30 million naira for each bereaved family and 10 million naira for each survivor.