A survivor of the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State has alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside their cell shortly before several detainees collapsed.
The survivor, who spoke in Hausa during a televised address on Friday, recounted his experience to Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to him, 17 detainees were initially locked inside the cell before additional suspects were brought in, leaving the room overcrowded and extremely hot.
He said the detainees repeatedly complained about the condition of the cell, but more people were still taken inside before the door was eventually locked.
The survivor alleged that shortly before the cell was shut, officers sprayed a substance which appeared to be perfume, after which the smell reportedly became unbearable and some of the detainees began collapsing.
He further claimed that the heat became increasingly intense, prompting the detainees to plead for water, but their request was allegedly refused.
The account comes amid an investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were arrested during NSCDC operations in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state on September 15 and 16.
Bago had disclosed that 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners were detained in the cell before 37 of them died. The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak but later said medical examinations were necessary to determine the actual cause.
Possible causes under investigation include suffocation linked to overcrowding and exposure to hazardous substances associated with illegal mining, while autopsies and forensic examinations are being conducted.
The Federal Government has ordered a comprehensive probe into the incident, while the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
