On September 17, 2026, a routine day for 19-year-old Adamu Isah turned into a nightmare when he witnessed the deaths of 37 detainees in an NSCDC detention cell in Minna, Niger State. Isah, who was apprehended for suspected illegal mining practices, described the dire conditions leading up to the tragic event.
A week after their arrest, Isah reported that the detainees were subjected to overcrowded, poorly ventilated cells. Following the dispersal of some prisoners on bail, approximately 17 individuals remained in their cell when officials sprayed a chemical substance, initially thought to be a repellent. This substance caused immediate distress among the detainees, with one man reportedly collapsing and others displaying violent behavior.
Many of those imprisoned struggled for air, and frantic cries for help went unanswered. Isah recalled a cellmate biting him during the chaos, reflecting the overwhelming sense of despair. ‘We begged them to open the doors, but they told us to just die,’ he lamented.
Fifteen-year-old Zuwayra Aliyu, detained in a separate women’s cell, described a similar ordeal, revealing that they could hear the men’s desperate pleas for water and relief from the unbearable heat. Despite no fatalities among the women, distress was palpable, with some fainting due to the heat and chemical exposure.
The tragic event has ignited public outrage, leading to protests in Minna. The Niger State government initially attributed the deaths to a disease outbreak, but growing accounts from survivors prompted a reevaluation of the circumstances surrounding the deaths. As unrest spread, a curfew was imposed, and a government committee was established to investigate.
President Bola Tinubu also called for a thorough investigation, leading to the formation of a 10-member committee focused on uncovering the truth behind the incident. Questions remain about the treatment of detainees, the conditions of their confinement, and the adequacy of medical responses during the crisis.
As efforts to address illegal mining continue, the incident in Minna highlights the complex issues surrounding artisanal mining and the pressing need for sustainable alternatives amidst widespread poverty.
