They Sprayed Something, And People Began Falling — Niger Mining Survivor Alleges

A survivor of the deadly illegal mining incident in Niger State has alleged that personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) sprayed an unidentified substance inside a cell where arrested miners were being detained.

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The survivor made the allegation while recounting the incident to Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who visited some of the survivors held by the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to the survivor, the miners were first crowded into a small room before being transferred to a cell where they were allegedly exposed to the substance.

He said 17 people were initially placed in the room, while eight others were later brought in, making the space severely overcrowded.

“We told them the room was too small for all of us, but they instructed us to stand. We had no choice but to comply,” the survivor said.

He explained that the situation became more serious after they were moved into the cell.

The survivor said the cell was extremely hot and that the miners were locked inside before an unidentified substance was allegedly sprayed.

“After they sprayed something, people started falling down. Some were still conscious, but we were told to remain there,” he alleged.

He further claimed that those inside the cell raised an alarm after some of the detainees began collapsing.

“We told them that people were dying, but nobody listened to us,” he said.

The survivor stressed that he could not identify the substance allegedly used in the cell or determine what effect it had on those detained.

“I don't know what they sprayed. All I know is that after it was sprayed, people started falling down,” he added.

He also alleged that the incident happened after the miners had been arrested and taken into custody.

Tunji-Ojo's visit formed part of efforts to establish what led to the deaths and understand the experiences of those who survived the incident.

The allegations are expected to form part of the broader inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the mining tragedy, including the treatment of the miners while in custody.