A survivor of the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State has alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside the overcrowded cell shortly before the detainees began struggling to breathe.
The survivor said the detainees were held in a small room at the NSCDC facility in Minna, where 17 people were initially locked up before more detainees were brought in.
According to him, the occupants complained about the size of the room and intense heat but were still kept inside.
He alleged that as the door was about to be locked, an unidentified substance resembling perfume was sprayed into the cell, after which the smell began to disturb 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.
The survivor said the situation deteriorated as the room became increasingly hot, with some detainees beginning to collapse.
He alleged that the detainees pleaded for water and begged to be allowed out, but were told that nobody would open the door.
Another survivor, who asked not to be identified, said he survived because he was close to the entrance of the cell, where he could access more air.
“We were screaming for help,” he said, adding that guards were reportedly told that people were dying but initially did not believe the warnings.
The deaths have triggered protests and unrest in Minna, where crowds reportedly blocked a major road and attacked a transport depot. Police were also reported to have fired shots to disperse protesters, although it was not immediately clear whether anti-riot or live ammunition was used.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths, stressing that no citizen should die in government custody because of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has also suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation.
The minister said the commandant would remain suspended while the circumstances surrounding the deaths were investigated.
The conflicting accounts surrounding the incident have heightened calls for an independent determination of the cause of death. While an intelligence report cited by AFP attributed the deaths to overcrowding and poor ventilation, the NSCDC had initially linked them to disease.
The Niger State Government has meanwhile imposed a nighttime curfew in Minna following the unrest.
Authorities are expected to rely on forensic examinations, autopsies and other evidence to establish what caused the deaths and determine whether any officials or other persons should be held responsible.
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