“They Sprayed Something In The Cell” – Surviving Miner Recounts Ordeal As 37 Die In NSCDC Custody

• A surviving suspected illegal miner has alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside a detention cell shortly after he and others were taken into NSCDC custody in Minna, Niger State, saying several detainees subsequently collapsed.
• He made the claim during a visit by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo to survivors of the incident.

A surviving suspected illegal miner has claimed that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside a detention cell shortly after he and other detainees were taken into the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State.

The survivor made the allegation on Friday, September 18, 2026, during a visit by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo to some of those who survived the incident.

“They sprayed something in the cell after putting us inside, and people started falling down”

The allegation comes after 37 suspected illegal miners died while in NSCDC custody in Minna, following their arrest during enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

The NSCDC initially linked the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but its national headquarters later said the cause had not been established and cautioned against attributing the deaths to any particular disease before medical and laboratory examinations were completed.

Survivors have also alleged that the detention facility was overcrowded and poorly ventilated, with one survivor saying detainees struggled to breathe. Authorities have ordered medical examinations and autopsies to determine the actual cause of death.

The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending investigations into the incident.

Meanwhile, the survivor’s allegation about the substance reportedly sprayed inside the cell has not been independently established.

Reactions

@reallkdd: This is the reason why I’m always cautious in this country because if anything happens to me even in a public space nothing will be done . You’re gone you’re gone !

@Chudi212: The Niger state government should be held by international human rights @hrw they should answer to what happen to this ppl

@Taizinn_: Nigerians, don’t believe them ooo. See guys they bring come out to speak. Na for them, not us oo. Don’t believe anything!

@nwaobianozie: Give it 3 days This will turn to old story we move on too quickly as a 200+ whatever numbers

@TadyJerry: I knew it.

@Pathfinder077: It is very obvious that the officials knew about the incident

@thesmallprof: Nigeria 😭

@NdukaBenson4: Broooooo 37 people died!!!!!! 37!!!!!!!!!!! Broooo that is too much!!!!

@Mark_Lander9993: By tomorrow Nigerians Will move on to the next topic

@HONEST_7G: 💔

@ikwuazomsX: Tear gas.

@Eyinimofe8: We will move on next week.

@sheisbella12: Now y’all should wait and see what they’ll tell us 😂

@Mofolohunzo: This is terrible and they all needs to questions for action

@naieleven: Just imagine

@Chuks_DNaijaGuy: Indeed, Nigeria is a big crime scene!💔