Minna’s Cell of Death: Survivors Detail Tragic Deaths of 37 Miners in NSCDC Custody
Nearly a week after the incident, 19-year-old Adamu Isah bore visible bite marks on his arm, a grim reminder of the chaos that unfolded in a cramped NSCDC detention cell in Minna, Niger State. On 17 September, Isah and 37 others arrested for alleged illegal mining activities perished under mysterious circumstances in the facility, according to survivor accounts and official reports. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but survivors’ testimonies and forensic investigations have raised urgent questions about the conditions and actions that led to the tragedy.
Isah, who was arrested in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto area of Minna, described being held in a poorly ventilated cell with over 60 detainees. He recounted how a chemical substance was sprayed into the cell, causing severe reactions among the prisoners. 'One Gwari man started struggling, foaming at the mouth, and passed out. Within an hour, people began dying,' Isah told Premium Times. Survivors reported that detainees exhibited violent behavior, including biting and head-banging, before succumbing to the unknown substance. 'We screamed for help, but the guards told us to die,' Isah said, his voice trembling as he recalled the ordeal.
Fifteen-year-old Zuwayra Aliyu, held in a separate women’s cell, described hearing the men’s screams for water and the sound of repeated banging against the walls. 'They were begging for water, screaming that the heat was killing them,' she said. The next morning, an NSCDC officer informed the women that all the men had died. When the cell was opened, survivors saw 'corpses piled on top of each other,' Aliyu recounted. She confirmed that a substance was sprayed into the men’s cell, which detainees claimed was mosquito repellent, though its effects were anything but benign.
Another survivor, 16-year-old Khadija Mohammed, described the men being crammed into a single room with no access to air. 'They banged on the door for hours, asking for water. We had food and water but couldn’t help them,' she said. Some detainees squeezed into a toilet to catch a breath through a small opening, she added. When the door was finally opened, 'we saw the men piled on top of each other, all dead.' Mohammed also noted that a chemical used to clean the women’s toilet caused some inmates to faint, highlighting the toxic environment.
The deaths of 37 miners have sparked outrage across Niger State and beyond. Fatima Sa’adu, whose 14-year-old son Fahad died in the incident, described him as the family’s primary provider. 'He gave me money to buy food and medicine,' she said. Fahad had been reluctant to go to the mining site due to illness but was persuaded by a friend. Sa’adu recounted the moment she saw her son being brought out of the cell: 'He hugged me tightly, crying, “Mother, mother!” He died minutes later.'
Isiaku Usman, whose nephew Kabiru died, faces a different anguish: the inability to locate his remains. 'The mortuary showed me unidentified bodies, but I couldn’t find Kabiru’s,' he said. The family now demands the government locate the body for a proper burial. Despite the tragedy, some miners have returned to the affected areas, citing a lack of alternative livelihoods. 'Mining is a hand-to-mouth occupation, but we have no choice,' said one artisanal miner, who added that he had not earned enough to buy a meal in two days.
Residents near the M.I. Wushishi mining site accuse miners of destroying farmland and homes. Mal Awwal, a local resident, said miners had 'dug all our backyard and are coming into our compound.' The NSCDC’s enforcement operation, which led to the arrests, was partly driven by concerns over land destruction and illegal mining activities. However, the deaths have intensified debates over the balance between law enforcement and the survival needs of impoverished communities.
The Niger State government imposed a curfew following the incident, which was lifted after a period of mourning. A committee of inquiry was established to investigate the deaths, with a mandate to determine the cause, examine detention conditions, and recommend accountability measures. President Bola Tinubu ordered a comprehensive investigation, and Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo inaugurated a 10-member independent committee on 22 September. The panel, led by committee secretary Isa Chiroma, is tasked with visiting sites, interviewing survivors, and reviewing documents to uncover the truth.
The NSCDC has suspended 20 officers, including state commandant Suberu Aniviye, over their roles in the operation. A new commandant, Abdulhamid Kabara, has been deployed to the state. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association’s Minna branch formed a 13-member committee to independently investigate the deaths. The National Human Rights Commission and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre have also called for transparency and forensic autopsies.
Survivors and families have raised critical questions about the incident. What chemical was sprayed into the cell? How many detainees were present? Were medical supplies and water provided? Why did detainees exhibit unusual neurological symptoms? What do autopsies reveal? These questions remain unanswered as the investigation unfolds. The tragedy has also reignited discussions about the treatment of detainees and the broader issue of artisanal mining in Nigeria.
Artisanal mining, though often illegal, is a lifeline for many young Nigerians facing unemployment and poverty. Survivors like Isah described themselves as 'orphans, breadwinners, and unemployed youths' who turn to mining out of necessity. The deaths have added a third urgent question: how should suspects be treated after arrest? For families of the deceased, the investigation is not just an institutional exercise but a quest for justice.
The incident underscores the tension between government efforts to curb illegal mining and the economic realities of marginalized communities. While authorities argue that mining damages farmland and undermines regulation, survivors and their families emphasize that it is often the only means of survival. The tragedy in Minna has thus become a focal point for debates on human rights, law enforcement practices, and the need for alternative livelihoods.
As the independent committee continues its work, the families of the 37 victims await answers. For Isah, the trauma is etched in the bite marks on his arm and his ongoing health struggles. For Sa’adu, it is the void left by her son’s death. For Usman, it is the unresolved search for his nephew’s remains. The government’s promise of an independent investigation remains a fragile hope for justice.
The outcome of the inquiry could shape Nigeria’s approach to mining regulations, detention protocols, and the protection of individuals in state custody. Until forensic evidence is examined and survivors’ testimonies are fully heard, the question of what truly happened in Minna’s cell will linger. The answers may determine not only the fate of the victims’ families but also the future of how Nigeria balances enforcement with human dignity.
The deaths of 37 miners in NSCDC custody have exposed a complex web of legal, social, and ethical challenges. As the investigation progresses, the world watches to see whether transparency and accountability will prevail over secrecy and neglect. For now, the survivors’ stories and the families’ grief serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of systemic failures.
The tragedy in Minna has become a symbol of the broader struggles faced by Nigeria’s marginalized populations. It highlights the urgent need for policies that address both the enforcement of laws and the provision of sustainable livelihoods. Until then, the question of what happened in that cell remains a haunting mystery, demanding answers that could reshape the nation’s approach to justice and human rights.