Substance was sprayed into our cell before 37 detainees died — Surviving Niger miner
A survivor of the Niger miner deaths alleges a substance was sprayed into an overcrowded NSCDC cell before 37 suspected illegal miners died in custody. Read More: https://punchng.com/substance-was-sprayed-into-our-cell-before-37-detainees-died-surviving-niger-miner/
A surviving illegal miner detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State has accused the officers of spraying a substance resembling perfume into an overcrowded cell before 37 detainees died. Channels TV reported that the survivor, who spoke in Hausa, stated that 17 detainees were initially held in the cell before more were added.
The cell became too small and hot, leading the detainees to complain. As they were about to lock the cell, the officers sprayed the unidentified substance, which caused the detainees to fall unconscious. The survivor claimed that the heat inside the cell became unbearable, and they pleaded for water, but their request was denied.
This incident occurred after the NSCDC arrested 67 miners during operations in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto on September 15 and 16. The miners were found dead on September 17, with the initial cause of death being described as a suspected disease outbreak. Investigations are ongoing to determine the true cause of death, which may include suffocation due to overcrowding or exposure to hazardous substances.
The Federal Government has ordered a full investigation, and the Niger State NSCDC commandant has been suspended pending the outcome of the probe.
Written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
