Survivors of the deaths of 37 suspected illegal gold miners in Niger State have alleged that severe overcrowding and poor ventilation inside a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps detention cell contributed to the tragedy.
The miners reportedly died on Thursday while in NSCDC custody in Minna, the Niger State capital, sparking protests and unrest in parts of the city.
One of the survivors, Dauda Shehu, who spoke from a hospital in Minna, said detainees repeatedly raised the alarm as conditions inside the cell deteriorated.
Shehu alleged that the cell was overcrowded and poorly ventilated, leaving detainees struggling to breathe.
According to him, the detainees banged on the cell door and repeatedly appealed to security personnel for help, but their pleas were allegedly ignored.
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He further claimed that some detainees had already collapsed and died from what he described as suffocation before assistance arrived.
Another survivor, who declined to disclose his identity, said his position close to the entrance of the cell may have helped him survive.
He said detainees were screaming for help and informing guards that people were dying one after another, but alleged that their warnings were not immediately believed.
An intelligence report seen by AFP reportedly indicated that overcrowding and inadequate ventilation may have contributed to the deaths.
However, the NSCDC initially attributed the incident to disease.
The exact circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation, and the allegations by survivors have not yet been independently established.
The incident triggered unrest in Minna, with protesters reportedly blocking a major road and attacking a transport depot. Police responded by firing to disperse the crowds.
Following the unrest, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago imposed a night-time curfew in Minna in an effort to restore calm.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Tunji-Ojo said a full investigation would be conducted into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The tragedy has raised fresh questions about detention conditions, the treatment of suspected illegal miners and the enforcement of mining laws in Niger State.
Niger is one of Nigeria’s mineral-producing states, with thousands of artisanal miners operating across its mining communities. Authorities have also repeatedly raised concerns about illegal mining and its links to criminal activities.
The Federal Government’s investigation is expected to establish what caused the deaths, whether the detention conditions contributed to the tragedy and whether any officials failed in their responsibilities.
