By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

The deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna have raised serious questions about conditions in Nigeria’s detention facilities and the level of accountability expected from agencies responsible for holding suspects.

The detainees were arrested in connection with alleged illegal mining activities and were being held by the NSCDC when they died. Since they had not been convicted of any offence, their detention did not remove their fundamental rights to life, dignity and humane treatment.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths therefore require a transparent and independent investigation capable of establishing exactly what happened inside the facility.

Initial explanations surrounding the incident have varied. The NSCDC reportedly pointed to the possibility of a disease outbreak before acknowledging that the exact cause of the deaths had yet to be determined. Other reports have raised concerns about overcrowding and inadequate ventilation.

These different accounts make a detailed investigation particularly important. Medical examinations, autopsy results and other forensic evidence will be necessary to determine the actual cause of the deaths and whether any preventable factors contributed to the tragedy.

Beyond determining what caused the deaths, the incident raises wider questions about the management of detention facilities.

Authorities will need to establish the approved capacity of the facility and determine how many people were being held there at the time. Questions should also be asked about whether the detainees underwent medical examinations when they were admitted, whether any signs of illness were detected and whether adequate medical personnel and facilities were available.

Another important issue is the response of officials when detainees began showing signs of serious illness.

Investigators should determine when officers became aware that multiple detainees were unwell, whether complaints were made by the suspects, how those complaints were documented and what steps were taken in response.

There are also questions about supervision and command responsibility within the facility. Authorities must establish who was responsible for the day-to-day management of the detention centre and whether established procedures were followed.

The Federal Government’s decision to investigate the deaths and suspend officers reportedly linked to the incident represents an initial response. The establishment of an independent 10-member committee with a two-week mandate is also expected to provide an avenue for determining what happened.

However, the investigation will need to be conducted transparently and its findings should not be allowed to disappear into official records without meaningful action.

Investigators should have access to relevant detention registers, medical records, autopsy reports, CCTV footage where available, facility logs and statements from officers and surviving detainees.

The findings should be made public, subject to legitimate privacy and legal restrictions. Where wrongdoing or negligence is established, those found responsible should face appropriate consequences.

The incident also highlights the need for a broader review of detention facilities operated by law enforcement and security agencies across Nigeria.

Such a review could cover facilities operated by the Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other agencies authorised to arrest and detain suspects.

Authorities should examine the capacity of these facilities, the number of people being held, how long suspects remain in custody, access to medical care and the ability of facilities to respond to medical emergencies.

Independent monitoring should also form part of efforts to improve detention conditions. While security agencies have internal systems for supervising their facilities, regular inspections by credible external bodies could provide an additional layer of accountability.

Nigeria has a responsibility to tackle illegal mining and other criminal activities, but law enforcement must operate within the boundaries of the law. Arrest and detention do not remove the basic rights of suspects, including the right to humane treatment and protection of life.

For the families of the 37 deceased detainees, determining the truth remains particularly important. They deserve clear answers about how their relatives died and whether anything could have been done to prevent the deaths.

Where appropriate responsibility is established, accountability and compensation should also be considered.

The Minna deaths should therefore serve as a warning that the treatment of people in state custody requires stronger oversight, better medical preparedness and greater transparency. Protecting the rights of detainees is an essential part of ensuring that Nigeria’s justice and law-enforcement systems operate within the law.