Thirty-seven people suspected of illegal gold mining died inside a tightly packed cell in Minna, the main city of Niger state in central Nigeria.

The deadly tragedy occurred after officers from a security agency arrested the young men and locked them into a tiny room without enough fresh air to breathe.

According to reports from AFP, survivors stated that guards sprayed a sharp, burning substance into the crowded cell right before shutting the heavy door, completely ignoring the helpless detainees as they screamed out for help.

When news of the terrible deaths spread across the city, angry local residents and grieving community members poured out into the streets to protest.

Protesters quickly blocked busy main roads, damaged government property, and loudly demanded clear answers from state authorities.

Police officers responded to the public anger by shooting live rounds or anti-riot weapons into the dense crowds to clear the streets.

This violent response left at least one young man severely injured and hospitalized with a gunshot wound as he was returning home from attending a victim’s funeral service.

“I heard gunshots. I quickly ducked and next thing I was unconscious, I was shot. I fell into the gutter,” the victim told the outlet.

Facing heavy public pressure and widespread anger, the national government appointed a 10-person independent investigation team to look into what caused the deaths inside the facility.

The panel, which includes a human rights campaigner, a medical doctor, a retired senior intelligence officer, and an official mining representative, has been given exactly two weeks to finish its work and submit a final report.

High-level authorities have also suspended 20 security guards and their local top commander while the official investigation takes place.

However, devastated parents, siblings, and relatives say they are not satisfied yet. They plan to continue holding large mass protests until every officer responsible for the incident is brought to full justice.

“If the government does not take decisive action, we will continue the protest. They should be ready to continue killing us, and it is better that we all die,” a family member stated.