Teenagers Among Dozens Dead in Overcrowded Nigerian Detention Cell

At least 37 detainees, including teenagers as young as 14, died in an overcrowded NSCDC cell in Minna, Niger state, after a raid on suspected illegal gold miners. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered an investigation. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago suspended the Civil Defense commander. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo formed a panel and said no officer will be shielded if found culpable. Friday clashes killed one person and led to a 24-hour curfew. CONTESTED: BBC put deaths at 33 in the cell plus four in hospital. Cell size is listed as roughly 16 by 16 feet by OkayAfrica and about 6m by 3m by BBC. Officials first cited diphtheria then said the cause is undetermined. Survivor Adamu Isah said guards sprayed an unidentified substance under the door of a cell holding 65, then added a second lock as detainees died and shouted for help; one officer said it was not his problem. Usman Muhammad said the heat felt like fire burning. Reuters could not verify the accounts. Pathologists sent samples to Lagos. The cause remains under investigation.