44 Boko Haram terrorists poisoned in Chad prison

Chad authorities are looking into the death of at least 44 suspected members of the Boko Haram terrorists who died of poison while in custody.

The BBC reports that four autopsies showed a lethal substance had led to their deaths.

The deceased militants were part of a group of 58 suspects captured during a recent major army operation against the Islamist group around Lake Chad.

Djimet Arabi, Chad's justice minister told AFP that the prisoners had not been ill-treated and also denied allegations that they were confined in a single cell without food or water.

The country's public prosecutor Youssouf Tom said that the prisoners were found dead on Thursday morning.

"Forty of them were buried and the other four were taken to a pathologist, whose report revealed that a lethal substance was consumed, leading to heart problems in some and severe asphyxiation amongst others," he announced on state television on Saturday.

According to Mr Arabi, the other 13 prisoners who were "still alive and doing very well" adding that they're investigating if it was a "collective suicide or something else? We're still looking for answers," he added.44 Boko Haram terrorists poisoned in Chad prison

Chad authorities are looking into the death of at least 44 suspected members of the Boko Haram terrorists who died of poison while in custody.

The BBC reports that four autopsies showed a lethal substance had led to their deaths.

The deceased militants were part of a group of 58 suspects captured during a recent major army operation against the Islamist group around Lake Chad.

Djimet Arabi, Chad's justice minister told AFP that the prisoners had not been ill-treated and also denied allegations that they were confined in a single cell without food or water.

The country's public prosecutor Youssouf Tom said that the prisoners were found dead on Thursday morning.

"Forty of them were buried and the other four were taken to a pathologist, whose report revealed that a lethal substance was consumed, leading to heart problems in some and severe asphyxiation amongst others," he announced on state television on Saturday.

According to Mr Arabi, the other 13 prisoners who were "still alive and doing very well" adding that they're investigating if it was a "collective suicide or something else? We're still looking for answers," he added.