“They Sprayed Something Like Perfume And Locked The Door” — Survivor Tells Minister Panel How 37 Died In Niger NSCDC Cell

Survivors of the disaster that saw 37 suspected illegal gold miners die in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps [NSCDC] in Minna, Niger State, have recounted how they struggled to breathe inside an overcrowded cell.

Recounting his experience on Friday, one of the survivors said 17 people were initially locked inside a small room before additional detainees were arrested on September 15 and 16 around Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate was brought in.

“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.

According to him, the situation became worse after detainees were asked to stand up as the room was about to be locked. He alleged that an unidentified substance, which looked like perfume, was sprayed inside the room.

“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.

He said people subsequently began falling as the room became increasingly hot and they pleaded for water.

“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 made it out alive because he was near the cell entrance where he could breathe better.

“We were screaming for help. We told them people are dying one after the other; they did not believe us,” he said.

The incident has triggered rioting in Minna, where mobs blocked a main street and attacked a transport depot. Security operatives reportedly fired gunshots and teargas to disperse the crowds.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday ordered a full and transparent investigation, saying no citizen should lose his life while in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment, or dereliction of duty.

The Ministry of Interior said it had suspended Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, the Niger State commander of the NSCDC, while the incident is investigated.

“A full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended,” Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said.

Governor Umaru Bago has constituted a panel to investigate the deaths and declared a 24-hour curfew to curtail the unrest.

An intelligence report seen by AFP suggested the 37 died as a result of overcrowding and poor ventilation, though the NSCDC initially blamed the deaths on a suspected disease outbreak.