Survivors of a prison cell in Minna, Nigeria, where 37 suspected illegal goldminers died this week have recounted their panic and struggle for breath, as police fired teargas at protesters and imposed an overnight curfew on Friday. The victims, many of them children, were found dead on Thursday in cells of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) following a raid on illegal goldmines in Niger State. The deaths have sparked outrage and urgent questions about custody conditions.
Survivors Describe Overcrowding and Airlessness
Survivors told official records that the cell was packed far beyond capacity, with dozens of detainees crammed into a small, poorly ventilated space. They described how, during the night, people began gasping for air, crying out for help, and collapsing one after another. One survivor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the room became suffocating within hours, and there was no way to open windows or call for assistance.
Another survivor recounted how he pressed his face against the door's tiny gap to breathe, while others lay motionless on the floor. He said the guards only discovered the crisis in the morning when they opened the cell to find many detainees unresponsive. The exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed, but preliminary reports suggest asphyxiation due to overcrowding and lack of air.
Protests Erupt in Minna as Police Fire Teargas
On Friday, hundreds of residents, including relatives of the victims, gathered outside the NSCDC facility and along major roads in Minna, demanding justice and accountability. Police responded by firing teargas canisters to disperse the crowd, according to witnesses and state documents. The Niger State government later announced an overnight curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to prevent further escalation, but tensions remain high.
Protesters chanted slogans against the NSCDC and called for the immediate release of all detained minors. Some carried placards reading 'Stop Killing Our Children' and 'Justice for the Miners.' The police force stated that the use of teargas was necessary to prevent the crowd from attacking the facility, but human rights groups have condemned the response as disproportionate.
NSCDC Raid on Illegal Goldmines Triggers Deadly Arrests
The NSCDC had conducted a raid earlier this week on suspected illegal goldmining sites in the rural areas around Minna, the capital of Niger State, a region rich in minerals. During the operation, dozens of miners, including many children, were arrested and taken into custody. Officials said the crackdown was part of an ongoing effort to curb unlicensed mining, which has caused environmental damage and funding for criminal groups.
However, the decision to hold such a large number of detainees in a single cell has drawn sharp criticism. Niger State's governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has ordered an immediate investigation and promised to punish those responsible. He also declared a three-day mourning period, while the NSCDC has suspended the officers involved pending the outcome of the inquiry.
Background: Nigeria's Struggle with Illegal Mining
Illegal goldmining is a persistent problem in Niger State and other parts of Nigeria, where unregulated operations often employ vulnerable people, including children, in hazardous conditions. The government has repeatedly vowed to crack down on these activities, citing revenue losses and environmental degradation. However, arrests are often poorly managed, leading to overcrowded detention facilities and human rights abuses.
This tragedy is not the first time custody deaths have occurred in Nigeria. In 2021, over 40 inmates died in a prison in Lagos during an attempted jailbreak, and overcrowding has long been a systemic issue in the country's correctional centers. The United Nations has previously urged Nigeria to address prison conditions, but progress has been slow.
Official Response and Calls for Accountability
The Nigerian government has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged a full investigation. The NSCDC commandant-general, Ahmed Audi, said in a statement that the corps would cooperate with the inquiry and ensure that anyone found negligent faces disciplinary action. He also announced that the corps would review its detention procedures to prevent future incidents.
Human rights organizations and civil society groups have called for an independent probe and for the release of all minors detained in similar operations. They argue that children should never be held in adult facilities and that authorities must prioritize humane treatment over punitive measures. Some have also demanded compensation for the families of the deceased.
Economic and Social Impact on Mining Communities
The deaths have also highlighted the economic desperation that drives many into illegal mining. In rural Niger State, where poverty is widespread, gold mining offers a rare source of income for families. Many children work alongside adults to help support their households, often in dangerous shafts and pits. The crackdown has disrupted these livelihoods, leaving many communities in fear and uncertainty.
Local leaders have urged the government to provide alternative livelihood programs and to formalize artisanal mining, which could bring revenue and safety regulations. They argue that simply arresting miners without addressing the root causes of illegal activity will only lead to more tragedies. The state government has promised to explore such options in the wake of the incident.
Future Outlook: Reforms and Prevention Measures
Experts believe the Minna tragedy could serve as a catalyst for much-needed reforms in Nigeria's law enforcement and detention systems. They recommend the implementation of strict capacity limits for holding cells, regular health inspections, and the separation of minors from adults. Additionally, they call for better training for officers on human rights standards and crisis management.
The investigation is expected to conclude within weeks, and its findings could lead to criminal charges against those responsible. Meanwhile, the NSCDC has announced it will no longer use its own facilities for long-term detention and will transfer suspects to official prisons immediately. For the families of the 37 victims, however, justice and closure remain distant hopes.
