At least 37 people suspected of illegal mining have died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, with authorities investigating what led to the deaths.
The victims were among people arrested during security operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities in the state. Their deaths were discovered at an NSCDC detention facility in Minna, prompting calls for answers from relatives and members of the public.
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease, although the specific illness was not identified. The corps has also indicated that the actual cause of death would need to be established through medical and laboratory examinations.
Brandspur Politics reports that an intelligence report cited in the DW report pointed to overcrowding and inadequate ventilation at the detention facility as possible factors in the deaths. A survivor also reportedly described conditions inside the cell as poorly ventilated, with detainees experiencing difficulty breathing.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed the deaths and ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The state commandant of the NSCDC and his team were also suspended to allow the inquiry to proceed.
Police in Niger State have separately launched an investigation, while relatives of the deceased have been asked to provide information that could assist the authorities. The bodies were taken to a hospital for medical examination and autopsy as investigators work to establish the cause of death.
The incident has left relatives grieving and demanding explanations about what happened to those who had been taken into custody. The circumstances have also drawn attention to the conditions under which people arrested during security operations are detained.
The arrests were carried out as authorities intensified efforts to tackle illegal mining and criminal activity in Niger State. Illegal mining remains a concern in parts of the state, with poverty and unemployment contributing to the number of people seeking livelihoods in the sector.
Authorities are expected to rely on the outcome of the medical and forensic examinations to determine what caused the deaths and whether conditions at the detention facility contributed to the fatalities.
