Survivors recount panic and struggle to breathe in Nigerian prison cell where 37 died

A tragic event unfolded in Minna, Nigeria, where 37 suspected illegal goldminers, many of whom were children, died in a prison cell. These individuals were in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Survivors from the crowded cell have shared frightening accounts of panic and a desperate struggle for breath before many of the victims succumbed.

The NSCDC, a paramilitary group, had conducted raids on suspected illegal goldmines in Niger state, a region known for its mineral wealth. Following these operations, they detained dozens of miners, bringing them to cells in Minna, the state capital. The discovery of the bodies on Thursday sparked outrage among the community.

In response to the deaths, protests erupted in Minna on Friday. Angry citizens gathered to voice their discontent, leading to confrontations with law enforcement. Police fired teargas to disperse the protestors and later, authorities felt it necessary to impose an overnight curfew across the city. This tragic incident has highlighted serious concerns about detention conditions and the treatment of those suspected of illegal mining activities in the region.