Fresh details have emerged from the tragic incident in Niger State that claimed the lives of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), with survivors recounting harrowing experiences of overcrowding and poor ventilation inside the detention facility.
The incident, which has sparked widespread concern and prompted a government investigation, occurred in Minna, the Niger State capital, where dozens of suspects arrested during anti-illegal mining operations were being held.
Survivors who spoke about the tragedy described a chaotic and desperate situation inside the cell in the hours leading up to the deaths. According to one of the survivors, Dauda Shehu, the detainees were packed into the holding facility with little or no space to move freely.
He alleged that the cell was severely overcrowded and lacked adequate ventilation, creating conditions that made it increasingly difficult for detainees to breathe.
“We were jam-packed inside the cell. There was no ventilation and people kept complaining that they could not breathe,” he reportedly said.
Another survivor explained that panic spread among detainees as several individuals began collapsing. According to him, inmates repeatedly shouted for help and banged on the cell door in an attempt to attract attention.
The survivor said he believed he survived only because he was positioned close to the entrance of the facility, where he had slightly better access to air than those trapped deeper inside the crowded cell.
An intelligence report cited in connection with the incident reportedly identified overcrowding and poor ventilation as possible factors that contributed to the deaths. The findings have added a new dimension to the investigation, particularly after initial reports suggested that disease may have been responsible for the fatalities.
The deaths triggered public outrage in Minna, where residents and relatives of some of the victims reportedly protested. Security agencies were later deployed to restore calm, while authorities imposed a nighttime curfew to prevent further unrest.
The tragedy has also drawn national attention to conditions within detention facilities and the treatment of suspects awaiting investigation or prosecution.
Reacting to the incident, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ordered a comprehensive investigation and suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant pending the outcome of the probe. The Corps has also constituted an inquiry panel to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether any officers were negligent.
Niger State remains one of Nigeria’s major artisanal mining centres, with illegal mining activities continuing to pose security and regulatory challenges. The sector has also been linked to criminal activities, including extortion by armed groups operating around mining communities.
As investigations continue, families of the victims and members of the public are awaiting answers regarding the conditions that led to one of the deadliest custody incidents recorded in recent years.
