Survivor alleges substance sprayed before miners died in Nigeria cell

A survivor of a mass death incident in Nigeria has alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside an overcrowded detention cell shortly before 37 suspected illegal miners collapsed and died. The survivor's account, given to the Niger State Governor and the Minister of Interior, adds a new dimension to the ongoing investigation into the tragedy, though the claim has not been independently verified. The miners were arrested during enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16. They were taken into custody by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). According to the survivor, 17 detainees were initially placed in a small cell before more were added, leading to complaints about overcrowding and heat. The survivor alleged that as officers prepared to lock the cell, they sprayed a substance that "looked and smelled like perfume." He stated that after the spraying, people began falling down. He also claimed detainees pleaded for water but were told no one would open the door that night. The deaths were discovered in the early hours of September 17.