Thirty-seven people suspected of illegal mining have died while in custody in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State.
The detainees were arrested during operations targeting illegal mining around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas on September 15 and 16.
They were held at a detention facility operated by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Minna.
The NSCDC initially linked the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak. However, its national headquarters later said the cause had not been established.
The corps said medical and laboratory examinations would be required to determine what happened. The bodies have been taken to Minna General Hospital for examination and autopsies.
A survivor told the Associated Press that about 65 detainees were held in an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell. He said detainees struggled to breathe before some began dying.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago described the deaths as “sad and tragic”. He declared three days of mourning and ordered an investigation.
The police have also opened a probe into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The federal government has suspended Niger State NSCDC Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye pending the investigation. The NSCDC has established a separate investigative team to examine the arrests, detention conditions and medical care provided to the suspects.
Illegal mining remains a major challenge in Niger State, where authorities have intensified enforcement against unlicensed mining activities.
