RismadarVoice Reporters
September 18, 2026
A surviving suspected illegal miner detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State has alleged that a substance resembling perfume was sprayed into an overcrowded cell shortly before dozens of detainees collapsed and died.
The survivor, who spoke in Hausa during a televised address on Friday, recounted the incident while speaking 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 severely overcrowded.
He said the detainees complained about the cramped conditions and excessive heat, but more people were still added.
The survivor alleged that shortly before the cell was locked, officers sprayed a substance inside the room, which caused a strong smell and was followed by several detainees collapsing.
He said, “They locked us in a very small room. We were 17 in number. Then they added more people. We started complaining that the room was small. The room was very hot.”
He further alleged that the situation became unbearable as the temperature inside the cell rose, prompting the detainees to plead for water.
The survivor said their requests were allegedly rejected, with the detainees told that the door would not be opened that night.
His account comes amid investigations into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were being held in NSCDC custody in Niger State.
Governor Bago disclosed on Friday that 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners had been detained before 37 of them died.
The suspects were reportedly arrested during NSCDC operations in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto on September 15 and 16.
The NSCDC had initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak but later stated that medical examinations would be necessary to determine the actual cause.
Bago said investigators were considering several possible explanations, including suffocation caused by overcrowding and exposure to hazardous substances linked to illegal mining.
Autopsies and forensic examinations are ongoing, while the Federal Government has ordered a full investigation into the incident.
The Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, has also been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
