Survivor recounts panic and struggle to breathe in Nigerian prison cell where 37 died
Thirty-seven suspected illegal goldminers died in a Nigerian prison cell due to overcrowding and poor ventilation, according to a preliminary intelligence report. A survivor described the panic and suffocation experienced by the detainees, who were unable to breathe despite banging on the cell door. The incident sparked violent protests in Minna, leading to the suspension of the local paramilitary commandant and a three-day period of mourning.
- ▪An intelligence report indicated that overcrowding and inadequate ventilation, rather than a disease outbreak, caused the deaths of 37 detainees in Minna.
- ▪Survivor Dauda Shehu recounted how the men were jam-packed in the cell and struggled to breathe before security forces ignored their pleas for help.
- ▪Police and security forces used teargas and live rounds to disperse protesters who gathered in Minna to demand justice for the deceased miners.
- ▪Nigeria's interior minister ordered the suspension of the Niger state NSCDC commandant pending a full investigation into the incident.
- ▪The state governor declared three days of mourning and postponed election campaigning, while the bodies were buried without forensic investigations.
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| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/18/survivor-panic-struggle-breathe-nigeria-prison-cell-died-minna |
| Publication time | Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:49:01 GMT |
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Family members of those who died gather outside Minna general hospital in Niger state. Photograph: Ibrahim Ndamitso/ReutersView image in fullscreenFamily members of those who died gather outside Minna general hospital in Niger state. Photograph: Ibrahim Ndamitso/ReutersNigeriaSurvivor recounts panic and struggle to breathe in Nigerian prison cell where 37 diedPolice fire teargas as protests break out in the city of Minna after the deaths of the suspected illegal goldminersEromo Egbejule in Abidjan and agencies Fri 18 Sep 2026 11.49 EDTLast modified on Fri 18 Sep 2026 11.51 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleA survivor from a prison cell in Nigeria where 37 suspected illegal goldminers died while in the custody of a paramilitary group has recounted his panic and struggle for breath, as…
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