Survivors recount panic and struggle to breathe in Nigerian prison cell where 37 died
Police fire teargas as protests break out in city of Minna after deaths of suspected illegal goldminers, many of whom were children
TL;DR
- 37 suspected illegal goldminers died in a prison cell in Minna, Nigeria, with many victims being children.
- Survivors described being overcrowded with inadequate ventilation, leading to a struggle for breath.
- Protests erupted in Minna demanding justice, which were met with tear gas and live ammunition by police.
- The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) initially blamed a disease outbreak but an intelligence report suggests overcrowding.
- An investigation has been ordered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and state officials have been suspended.