Deaths in detention cells in Nigeria were entirely preventable, inquiry finds
Overcrowding and poor ventilation caused the deaths of 33 detainees in a prison cell in Minna state.
An inquiry into the deaths of 33 detainees in Nigeria's Minna state has found they died as a result of severe overcrowding, poor ventilation and failure by officers to respond to distress calls.
Forensic and medical evidence showed the "entirely preventable" deaths had resulted from acute respiratory failure linked to prolonged confinement, aggravated by heat stress and dehydration.
The detainees were found dead on 17 September while being held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on suspicion of illegal mining. The investigation found that the mining sites had been licensed.
It said that 50 detainees had been held in a cell measuring about 20 sq m, with no running water or functioning toilet, and inadequate food, drinking water and airflow.