Niger Miners Death: Investigative Comm’ttee Submits Report, Recommends N1.4bn Compensation To Victim’s Families
Investigators said 33 miners died from suffocation in a crowded cell and recommended 1.4 billion naira in compensation and agency reforms.
- On Tuesday, an independent committee confirmed 33 miners died in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps custody from "environmental asphyxia, acute respiratory failure caused by prolonged confinement in a severely overcrowded and poorly ventilated detention cell aggravated by heat stress and dehydration."
- Arrested for alleged illegal gold mining on September 15 and 16 at Minna's Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate, the miners were held without an "operational order" or national headquarters approval. The facility had "a solid metal door, inadequate air flow, no running water, poor lighting and no functioning toilet."
- Committee Chairman Jonathan Kure stated the deaths were "entirely preventable," citing "disregard of repeated distress warnings." Survivors reported guards ignored screams for help and banging on cell doors throughout the 11-hour ordeal between 8pm and 7am.
- The panel recommended 30 million naira in compensation for each victim's family and 10 million naira for each of the 41 survivors. The government suspended Niger State NSCDC Commandant Suberu Aniviye and 20 other officers in connection with the incident.
- Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who received the report on Tuesday, promised to implement the committee's recommendations to ensure justice. The panel also called for an institutional overhaul of the Corps to strengthen leadership and prevent future tragedies.
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67 Articles
Many gold diggers are being arrested in Nigeria, reportedly illegally searching for precious metals, and most of them do not survive the prison. Independent investigators are now publishing more details.
In Nigeria, 33 people, including 14 minors, died asphyxiated in an overcrowded cell in a paramilitary detention centre.
The Toronto Star
Panel finds that 37 suspected illegal miners suffocated in overcrowded cell in Nigeria
Associated Press (AP) — Thirty-seven suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of a Nigerian security agency last month suffocated in an overcrowded cell, a government investigation panel said Tuesday.
Federal panel says deaths of detainees, including 14 minors, were preventable, recommends $1 million in compensation, dismissal of officers
According to investigators, 33 arrested gold diggers have been suffocated in a Nigerian prison because of unacceptable detention conditions.
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