Survivors’ Chemical Spray Claims Unproven%

The unbiased ministerial committee investigatng the Niger custody deaths of 33 individuals within the custody of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, has mentioned allegations by some survivors {that a} chemical or aerosol substance was sprayed into their detention cell earlier than the deaths couldn’t be substantiated by the obtainable proof.

Chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja whereas presenting the panel’s report back to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the committee, some survivors alleged that an aerosol substance had been launched into the cell earlier than the incident, however investigators discovered no proof to assist the declare.

The report acknowledged that the allegation remained unproven based mostly on the proof obtainable to the panel.

The committee, nonetheless, attributed the deaths to acute respiratory failure in line with environmental asphyxia, ensuing from extended confinement in a severely overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell.

It recognized excessive warmth, dehydration and insufficient air flow because the principal contributing elements.

The panel mentioned roughly 50 male detainees had been confined in a cell measuring about 20 sq. metres, with insufficient airflow, no operating water and no functioning rest room.

It additionally established that detainees repeatedly known as for assist, banged on the cell doorways and partitions, and pleaded for water as situations deteriorated in the course of the evening of September 16, 2026.

The committee mentioned the misery alerts had been heard by officers assigned to close by duties, however well timed intervention was not offered.

The deaths occurred between the night of September 16 and the morning of September 17, 2026, in response to the report.

The panel authenticated 33 fatalities and recognized 41 survivors. Fourteen of the deceased had been minors.

Only three of the deceased underwent autopsy examinations as a result of the remaining 30 had already been buried earlier than the committee’s medical workforce arrived.

Although the restricted variety of autopsy examinations constrained the investigation, the committee mentioned the frequent setting, timing and circumstances surrounding the incident supported its conclusion that environmental asphyxia was the most probably mechanism liable for the deaths.

It added that the obtainable proof didn’t assist claims {that a} illness outbreak brought about the fatalities.

The committee additionally reported that the detention space had been cleaned, disinfected and altered earlier than unbiased forensic investigators arrived, affecting elements of the forensic evaluation.

It really helpful accountability for officers whose actions or omissions contributed to the tragedy, in addition to reforms to detention administration, emergency response and unbiased custodial oversight.

The panel mentioned the findings underscored the necessity for immediate medical intervention every time detainees present indicators of respiratory misery or different life-threatening situations.