Security Analyst/Expert in Arrest and Detention, Group Captain Sadeeq Garba Shehu (Rtd), has called for an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 people reportedly found dead in a detention facility in Niger State.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE News on Saturday, Garba described the incident as troubling and said the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be thoroughly examined.
“what is required is an independent investigation. Independent investigation, that term has a particular meaning. It means the organization, the person or the officers involved should not be part of that, you know, that investigation.”
Garba said the investigation should examine the capacity and physical condition of the detention facility, including its ventilation, available space and the number of people being held there.
“There should be an investigation into the capacity and physical condition of the detention facility, including its ventilation, available space and the number of people being held there”.
He also raised concerns about the reported detention of minors, stressing that children should not be held with adults and that authorities have a responsibility to provide appropriate medical, mental and psychosocial care.
“You must inform the parents. You must give the child every care, whether it is medical, whether it’s a mental, whether it’s psychosocial.”
Garba said agencies with powers to arrest and detain people must have clear procedures, arguing that their personnel should receive regular training on national and international standards.
“So agencies that have the power to arrest and detain people must have clear procedures, and their personnel must be regularly trained on national and international standards.”
He also cautioned against prematurely describing those who were arrested as illegal miners, saying such a determination should follow an investigation and, where necessary, court proceedings.
“The determination whether they are illegal, whether they are legal artisanal miners, that can only be done after investigation and from the court processes and what investigation reveals.”
He said the responsibility for the welfare of detainees rests with the authorities once a person is taken into custody, including providing food, water and medical care.
“Once you take a person into custody, the responsibility for that person’s welfare rests with the authorities. You have to provide food, water and medical care.”
Garba added that the incident should prompt authorities to learn from what happened and strengthen detention procedures.
“It should be a time for when tragedies happen. They are bad, but they are also opportunities for learning.”
Goodness Anunobi
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