MINNA DEATHS Substance was sprayed in our small detention cell, says survivor

*Probe launched, curfew imposed as rampaging youths raze facilities

BY ORIAKU IJELE

What was responsible for the death of 37 young detainees accused of illegal gold-mining by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC? That’s what many agencies of government as well as the civil society groups will be trying to unravel as the deaths sparked outrage across the country, leading to protests in Minna, Nigeria State.

The Daily Monitor on Saturday, notes that several conspiracy theories have surfaced even as a survivor explained that they were detained in a cramped cell, where a substance was sprayed in their midst.

Recounting his experience, one of the survivors said 17 people were initially locked inside a small room before additional detainees were brought in.

He said the detainees complained about the size of the room and the intense heat but were still kept inside.

“They locked us in a very small room. We were 17 in number, then they added more people, and we started complaining that the room was small,” he said.

According to him, the situation became worse after the detainees were asked to stand up as the room was about to be locked.

“As they were about to lock the room, they sprayed something that looked like perfume, and the smell started disturbing everyone in the room,” he said.

The survivor said people subsequently began falling as the room became increasingly hot.

“We pleaded with them to give us water, but they said no one would open the door for us,” he said.

Another survivor, said “We were screaming for help, that people are dying one after the other but they did not believe us”.

The incident triggered rioting in Minna, the capital of the North-Central state, earlier, and allegedly police opened fire to disperse the crowds.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of the suspected illegal miners detained by the NSCDC following enforcement operations around Lt.Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna, Niger State.

President Tinubu said the life of every Nigerian matters and that no citizen should lose his life while in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment, or dereliction of duty.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, suspended a civil defence commander and ordered a “full investigation” into Thursday’s deaths.

But anger erupted among sympathisers as testimony from survivors suggested the miners may have suffocated in packed cells.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for an independent investigation into the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of the commission, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

“There should be an independent forensic autopsy and preservation of all evidence,

” The investigation ordered by the Interior Minister and the NSCDC must be transparent, thorough and comply with international standards for investigating potentially unlawful deaths in custody,” he said.

Ojukwu reminded law enforcement agencies that suspicion of illegal mining does not extinguish the constitutional rights of citizens.

He added that every person in custody must be treated with dignity in accordance with the law.

“Citizens who are arrested on suspicion by law enforcement agents are by law expected to enjoy the full compliment of their fundamental human right in accordance with national and international human rights instruments,” he said.

He urged youths in Minna to remain calm and refrain from violence, assuring that the Commission will ensure accountability and that appropriate remedies are provided where violations are established.

Similarly, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Olatunji Disu, has pledged a thorough investigation into the deaths of 37 miners detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger.

Disu gave the assurance when he paid a condolence visit to Gov. Umaru Bago in Minna on Thursday.

The I-G said that the police would work with the NSCDC and the state government to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“Cases of deaths while in custody are very serious and fall within the purview of the Nigeria Police Force.

“We have already taken charge of the scene of the incident to preserve its integrity and ensure that nothing is removed or added,” he said.

Disu appealed to residents to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, assuring them that due process would be followed.

He said the police would not compromise the investigation and would take appropriate action based on its findings.

Responding, Bago commended the I-G for visiting the state to commiserate with the government and people over the incident.

The governor also appreciated the police and other security agencies for their efforts in managing the situation and maintaining peace in the state.

Bago disclosed that the state government had suspended mining activities across the state pending the outcome of investigations into the incident.

He assured the police and other security agencies of the state government’s readiness to provide all relevant information in its possession to facilitate the investigation.

The governor expressed hope that the investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and guide appropriate action.