A survivor of the incident that claimed the lives of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State has given a disturbing account of what allegedly happened inside the detention facility.
Key Highlights
- A survivor of the NSCDC custody deaths alleges a substance was sprayed inside the holding cell.
- He says 17 detainees were initially confined before more people were added to the small room.
- Detainees reportedly complained about the cramped space and rising heat but remained locked in.
- The substance is said to have resembled perfume but carried a strong, disturbing smell.
- The account has not independently established what the substance was or its link to the deaths.
- Investigations into the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners are ongoing.
The survivor claimed that 17 detainees were initially confined to a small room before more people were brought into the cell.
According to him, the detainees repeatedly complained about the cramped space and rising heat but remained locked inside.
“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.
He alleged that the situation became more tense when the detainees were ordered to stand as officials prepared to lock the room.
Read also:
- Niger State Sets Up Probe Into Deaths Of 37 Illegal Miners In NSCDC Custody
- What Really Happened To 37 Suspected Illegal Miners’ Deaths In NSCDC Custody In Niger?
- NSCDC Investigates Deaths Of Suspected Illegal Miners In Niger State
The survivor further claimed that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside the cell shortly before the door was shut.
He said the substance appeared similar to perfume but had a strong smell that began affecting people 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.
The allegation comes as investigations continue into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were reportedly being held in NSCDC custody in Niger State.
The survivor’s account has not independently established what the substance was or whether it was connected to the deaths.
Further investigations are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish what happened inside the detention facility. Follow us on X for more updates on this developing story.
