A tragic incident in a Nigerian detention facility has resulted in the deaths of 37 people, sparking widespread protests and an investigation. The victims, mostly teenagers and young men working in artisanal gold mines, were detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. According to survivors, the detainees were packed into a small cell, prompting guards to spray an unidentified substance, which led to the deaths.
The incident occurred on September 17, when a group of miners were rounded up in a sweep of gold mines outside Minna. Adamu Isah, 22, one of the survivors, recounted that around 17 detainees were initially locked up in a 5-square-meter cell, with a small window. Nearly 50 more miners were later moved into the cell, causing overcrowding. Isah claimed that the guards sprayed an unidentified substance under the door, which caused the detainees to behave erratically and eventually die.
Survivors described scenes of panic as detainees shouted for help and pounded on the door. Some victims appeared disoriented and became aggressive before collapsing. Dauda Shehu, 29, another survivor, corroborated Isah's account, stating that the substance smelled like perfume. The survivors' accounts have raised concerns about the treatment of suspects in detention facilities and the methods used by security agencies.
The NSCDC and Nigeria's interior ministry have not responded to questions about the incident. Initially, the NSCDC suggested that a disease outbreak might have caused the deaths, but later stated that the cause was unknown and would be investigated. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an investigation into the deaths, and some senior NSCDC officials have been suspended pending the outcome.
The incident has sparked protests in Niger State, leading to clashes on Friday that left one person dead. The Niger State government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in response to the unrest. Many of the victims were buried immediately in accordance with Islamic tradition, while six bodies remain in the mortuary.
A local survivor recounted his experience to senior government officials, including Niger State Governor Umar Bago and Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria's interior minister. The survivor claimed that the guards ignored their complaints about the overcrowding and sprayed a substance that smelled like pepper. He also stated that he fainted and woke up in the morning.
The investigation into the deaths is ongoing, with the government working to determine the cause of the incident and hold those responsible accountable. The incident has raised concerns about the conditions in detention facilities and the treatment of suspects by security agencies in Nigeria.
Key points
- 37 people died in a Nigerian detention facility after guards sprayed an unknown substance into a crowded cell.
- The incident has sparked protests and an investigation, with some senior NSCDC officials suspended pending the outcome.
- The cause of the deaths is still unknown, with the government working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
