A survivor in the deaths of 37 suspected illegal gold miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State has alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside an overcrowded cell shortly before detainees began collapsing.

According to Channels TV, the survivor, who spoke in Hausa during a televised address on Friday, told Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo that 17 people were initially locked inside a small room before more detainees were brought in, worsening the overcrowding and heat inside the cell.

“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 the survivor, the detainees raised concerns about the size of the room and the heat but remained locked inside.

He said the situation deteriorated when the room was about to be secured, claiming that a substance resembling perfume was sprayed inside.

“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 the extreme conditions soon caused people to collapse, while those still conscious appealed for water.

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

He indicated that the ordeal continued into the night, although his account did not immediately provide further details of what happened afterwards.

Another survivor, who requested anonymity, said his position close to the entrance of the cell helped him survive because he had better access to air.

“We were screaming for help,” he said, adding that guards were told that “people are dying one after the other; they did not believe us”.

The accounts emerged on Friday as survivors recounted the conditions inside the NSCDC cell where the 37 suspected illegal gold miners died.

Meanwhile, the Federal government and the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), on Friday, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, conveyed the Federal government’s condolences to the Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, the government and people of the State, traditional leaders and residents of Wushishi, particularly the families of those who died.

Idris said the government considered the protection of the lives, dignity and fundamental rights of Nigerians a solemn responsibility, stressing that the circumstances surrounding the deaths required a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation. He disclosed that immediate steps had already been taken to establish the facts.

According to him, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had ordered the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and directed a full investigation into the incident.

“The swift action taken by the Honourable Minister of Interior underscores the seriousness with which the Federal Government views this matter. The investigation will be allowed to establish exactly what happened, and the Government assures Nigerians that appropriate action will be taken based on its findings,” Idris said.

While reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to combating illegal mining and other unlawful activities that threaten national security, the economy and the environment, the minister stressed that enforcement operations must be conducted within the law and with respect for human life and dignity.

“There will be no attempt to shield anyone found culpable. At the same time, we mustn’t prejudge the outcome of the investigation. The Government’s responsibility is to ensure that the facts are established and that justice is served,” he said.

Idris appealed for calm in Wushishi and across Niger State, urging residents and stakeholders to allow the investigation to proceed without interference, and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

In a similar statement, the NSGF also expressed grief and concern over the deaths. The Forum’s chairman and Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, conveyed condolences to the government and people of Niger State and the families of the deceased, describing the incident as a deeply distressing national tragedy that demands responsible action.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the loss of so many lives while in custody was a matter of grave concern to the Forum, stressing that regardless of the circumstances of their arrest, every human life is valuable and must be treated with dignity and protected in accordance with the law.

He called for a thorough and transparent investigation to establish what happened before, during and after the victims were taken into custody, saying the process should be allowed to run its full course and address all relevant questions.

“We must allow the facts to emerge through a credible investigation. The families of the deceased deserve answers, and Nigerians deserve clarity on the circumstances surrounding this painful tragedy,” Governor Inuwa Yahaya said.

The Federal Government has declared that it will proceed with the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, despite mounting opposition from workers, parents and other stakeholders.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said this on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing journalists.

He disclosed that the government followed due process in reaching the decision and remains committed to the concession as part of efforts to improve the school’s infrastructure, resources, and overall management.

The minister maintained that the proposed concession is not an abandonment of the institution by the Federal government, but a move intended to address infrastructure and management challenges and improve the quality of education at the college.

Alausa alleged that some directors in the ministry are fueling the controversy by mobilising workers against the government’s decision.

He alleged that some union members and what he described as “unscrupulous” ministry staff are deliberately circulating misinformation about the concession.

“Misinformation has been going around, perpetuated by union members and unscrupulous members of staff of the Federal Ministry of Education,” he said.

Alausa also took a swipe at the Parent-Teacher Association of King’s College, accusing the body of turning admission into a lucrative enterprise and allegedly demanding as much as N20 million from prospective students.

“The PTA of King’s College has turned admission into King’s College into a criminal enterprise,” he alleged.

His declaration came amid escalating opposition by workers in the ministry and other stakeholders, who have raised concerns over the concession of the 117-year-old institution to the King’s College Old Boys Association.

According to him, the alumni had spent over N2 billion on the institution with nothing to show for it.

He explained that, contrary to reports circulated by the workers, the school was not for sale, stressing that the Federal government would retain full ownership of the school despite the proposed management arrangement with the Old Boys Association.

“We haven’t sold it to them. The property still remains Federal government property,” Alausa said, insisting that the government retains 100 per cent ownership of the school.

Alausa also assured workers that the proposed management arrangement would not result in job losses or demotions, stressing that affected staff would retain their appointments and existing levels within the public service.

He said the government had considered workers’ concerns and would ensure their employment rights and benefits were protected throughout the process.

He explained that workers affected by the arrangement would have the option to be redeployed to other federal institutions within the education sector where their services were needed.

According to him, teachers and non-academic staff could be posted to other Unity Colleges and federal institutions, with the government maintaining that no worker would be forced out of employment as a result of the proposed concession.

Also speaking, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, said the Federal government has no plans to extend the proposed concession arrangement to other Unity Colleges across the country.

She stressed that the initiative was specific to King’s College, Lagos, and should not be interpreted as a broader plan to transfer the management or ownership of other Federal Unity Colleges to private organisations or alumni associations.

Ahmad said the government remained committed to protecting the public ownership of the Unity Colleges, while exploring measures to address their infrastructure and management challenges.

She maintained that the proposed arrangement for King’s College is being considered as an intervention to improve the school’s facilities and restore its standards, rather than as a move to sell off Federal government properties.