By Zainab Bakare
Survivors of the incident in which 37 suspected illegal gold miners died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have recounted how they struggled to breathe inside an overcrowded cell.
One survivor said 17 people were initially locked inside a small room before more detainees were brought in, despite complaints about the cramped space and intense heat.
“They locked us in a very small room. We were 17 in number, then they added more people, and we started complaining that the room was small,” he said.
The survivor alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside the room shortly before the detainees were locked in.
He said the substance looked like perfume and that its smell began disturbing those inside.
“As they were about to lock the room, they sprayed something that looked like perfume, and the smell started disturbing everyone in the room,” he said.
According to the survivor, the situation worsened as the room became increasingly hot and some detainees began collapsing.
He said the detainees pleaded for water but were allegedly told that nobody would open the door.
“We pleaded with them to give us water, but they said no one would open the door for us,” he said.
Another survivor, who asked not to be named, said he survived because he was close to the entrance of the cell where he could breathe better.
“We were screaming for help,” he said, adding that guards were told that “people are dying one after the other”, but allegedly did not believe them.
Investigation ordered
The deaths occurred after the miners were arrested during NSCDC enforcement operations in Niger State.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths, saying no Nigerian should lose their life in government custody through negligence, abuse or inhumane treatment.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the investigation.
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak but later said the actual cause had not been established.
Medical, forensic and laboratory examinations are being conducted to determine what caused the deaths.
Protests in Minna
The incident triggered protests and unrest in Minna, Niger State, with reports of mobs blocking roads and attacking a transport facility.
Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, subsequently announced a nighttime curfew in Minna to contain the unrest.
The governor has also constituted a panel to investigate the incident.
Overcrowding allegation
An intelligence report cited by AFP suggested that overcrowding and poor ventilation may have contributed to the deaths, although the cause has yet to be officially established.
Niger State has significant gold and other mineral deposits and attracts thousands of artisanal miners.
The state has also faced security challenges linked to illegal mining, with experts saying criminal groups operating in mining areas impose levies on miners and demand a share of extracted minerals.
Authorities say investigations and medical examinations will determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
