I just came back online and this is one of the first things I am seeing. Honestly, I am deeply, deeply disturbed. ๐
I watched this video and my heart broke.
According to the Niger State NSCDC Command, some of the suspected illegal miners arrested on September 15 and 16 were later found dead in custody following what they initially described as a "suspected outbreak of disease."
But NSCDC Headquarters has now said the actual cause of death has NOT been established and that linking the deaths to any particular disease is still subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.
So what exactly happened?
And if there is genuinely a possibility that this was an infectious disease outbreak, then I have serious questions.
What measures are being taken to protect the other detainees who survived?
What about the NSCDC officers who were in that facility? What about the medical personnel who handled the bodies? What about anyone who entered that cell or had close contact with the affected persons?
Have they all been medically assessed and placed under appropriate monitoring while we wait for the results?
Because if an unknown disease was capable of killing dozens of people within such a short period, then Nigerians deserve to know whether there is any public-health risk beyond that facility.
Is there an outbreak we should know about?
Should people in the area be taking any particular precautions?
Are the relevant health authorities investigating this as a possible infectious disease event?
And if it turns out NOT to be a disease, then please tell Nigerians what actually happened.
The Niger State Government says possibilities including suffocation from overcrowding and exposure to hazardous chemicals associated with mining are also being investigated. Forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies are reportedly being conducted to establish the scientific cause of death.
Please, let the investigation be thorough.
These were human beings. Sons. Brothers. Fathers. People with families who were expecting them to come home.
Whatever they were accused of, they were in government custody. Their safety became the responsibility of the state.
I am not trying to jump to conclusions. I am asking questions because 37 people reportedly died in custody within an incredibly short period, and Nigerians deserve to know exactly why.
If it was a disease, tell us what disease and what precautions we need to take.
If it was overcrowding,.๐คท
If it was chemical exposure๐คท.
If it was something else๐ค
But please, let us know the truth.
VIDEO:Credit: Anonymous/Source unknown.