Niger Miner Alleges NSCDC Sprayed Cell: 37 Detainee Deaths

• A surviving detainee alleges a perfume-like substance was sprayed in an overcrowded NSCDC cell in Niger State before 37 miners died.
• The cell, initially holding 17, became severely overcrowded and hot, with pleas for water reportedly denied.
• The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, confirmed 67 miners were detained, and 37 died, with overcrowding and hazardous substances under investigation.
• The Federal Government has ordered a full investigation, and the Niger State NSCDC commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, has been suspended.
• The NSCDC initially reported the deaths as a suspected disease outbreak but later stated medical examinations were needed to determine the cause.

The stark contrast between the survivor's detailed account of a sprayed substance and denied water, and the NSCDC's initial explanation of a 'suspected disease outbreak,' raises profound questions about transparency and accountability within Nigeria's detention facilities.

A suspected illegal miner, held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, has come forward with a disturbing allegation regarding the deaths of 37 fellow detainees. Speaking in Hausa during a televised address on Friday to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the survivor claimed that a substance resembling perfume was sprayed inside an overcrowded cell just before several individuals began to collapse.

According to the survivor, the detention cell initially housed 17 people. However, more detainees were subsequently brought in, leading to complaints about the room being excessively small and hot. He recounted that as officers prepared to lock the room, they ordered the detainees to stand up. It was at this point, he alleged, that a "perfume-like" substance was sprayed, causing widespread distress and leading to people falling ill. The heat inside the cell reportedly became unbearable, and pleas for water were denied, with detainees being told no one would open the door for them that night.

These grim details emerge amidst ongoing investigations into the deaths of 37 individuals among a total of 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners who were detained. The miners had been arrested during NSCDC operations conducted on September 15 and 16 in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto. Initially, the NSCDC attributed the deaths, discovered in the early hours of September 17, to a suspected disease outbreak, later stating that medical examinations would be necessary to ascertain the actual cause.

In response to the tragic incident, the Federal Government has initiated a comprehensive investigation. Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed that 67 miners were held in the NSCDC cell, from which 37 ultimately died. Governor Bago indicated that potential causes under consideration include suffocation resulting from severe overcrowding, as well as exposure to hazardous substances often associated with illegal mining activities. Autopsies and forensic examinations are currently underway to determine the precise circumstances of the deaths.

Further demonstrating the gravity of the situation, the Niger State NSCDC commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, has been suspended from his duties. This suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of the official probe into the incident. The Mohammed Umaru Bago NSCDC probe is expected to shed light on the operational procedures and conditions within the detention facility.

The stark contrast between the survivor's detailed account of a sprayed substance and denied water, and the NSCDC's initial explanation of a 'suspected disease outbreak,' raises profound questions about transparency and accountability within Nigeria's detention facilities. The allegations, particularly the Niger miner alleges NSCDC sprayed cell claim, point towards potential human rights violations Nigeria detention practices, including severe overcrowding and the alleged use of an unknown chemical agent.

This incident, resulting in numerous Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deaths and specifically the Niger State illegal miners detention deaths, underscores critical issues regarding the treatment of individuals in state custody. The ongoing NSCDC cell overcrowding investigation, alongside the broader federal inquiry, is crucial for establishing the truth and ensuring justice for the deceased. The suspension of Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye highlights the seriousness with which authorities are now treating these allegations, signaling a potential shift towards greater scrutiny of security force conduct. The outcome of these investigations will be vital in addressing systemic issues and preventing future tragedies, emphasizing the urgent need for adherence to due process and humane treatment of all detainees.

This incident highlights significant human rights and due process concerns within state detention facilities. Lawyers should monitor the ongoing investigation for potential civil litigation against the NSCDC or the state for wrongful death and human rights abuses, and for criminal charges against implicated officers, which could set important precedents for accountability in Nigeria.

Source: Original reporting via Channels TV.