37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die in Nigerian Custody as Survivors Describe Suffocation

At least 37 people suspected of illegal gold mining have died while in the custody of Nigeria’s paramilitary civil defence agency in Niger State, triggering protests, a curfew and demands for answers from grieving families.

The victims were among dozens of people arrested during operations against illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas on 15 and 16 September. They were taken into custody by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps before 37 detainees were found dead at a detention facility in Minna, the state capital.

The deaths have sparked anger after survivors described overcrowded cells with little ventilation and said detainees struggled to breathe before some of their fellow prisoners died.

Dauda Shehu, one of the survivors, said the detainees were packed tightly into a cell without adequate ventilation. He said those inside repeatedly called for help and banged on the cell door after they began struggling to breathe, but received no response.

Another survivor, who did not give his name, said he survived because he was positioned close to the entrance of the cell, where there was better access to air. He said detainees were screaming for help while people appeared to die one after another.

Another survivor separately alleged that 17 people were initially placed inside a small room before more detainees were brought in. He said the room became increasingly crowded and hot as the number of people inside increased.

The accounts have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The NSCDC initially said the detainees may have died following a suspected disease outbreak, but its national headquarters later stressed that the cause had not been established and that medical and laboratory examinations were required.

An intelligence report cited by AFP reportedly suggested that overcrowding and poor ventilation may have contributed to the deaths. However, the official cause remains under investigation.

Protests erupt in Minna

The deaths triggered protests in Minna, where hundreds of people took to the streets demanding accountability.

Security forces used tear gas and opened fire while attempting to disperse demonstrators. It was not immediately clear whether officers used live ammunition or anti-riot rounds. Reuters reported that at least one protester was reportedly killed.

Protesters attacked or damaged several properties, including a transport depot, a bank, political party offices and private businesses.

In response to the unrest, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew across Minna. The state government also ordered the suspension of mining activities in the state while investigations continue.

Bago confirmed the deaths and established a state committee of inquiry. The federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has also deployed a team of experts to investigate the incident and produce a report on what happened.

Tinubu orders full investigation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths and said people should not lose their lives while in government custody because of negligence, abuse or inhumane treatment.

Tinubu also said that while the government would continue efforts to combat illegal mining, enforcement operations must respect the rights and dignity of people in custody.

The Niger State NSCDC commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, was suspended pending the investigation. The Interior Ministry said the suspension was intended to allow authorities to investigate the incident properly.

Families of the victims have demanded clarity over what happened to their relatives.

Mallam Abdullahi said his son, Salim, had left home three days earlier to work at a mining site and never returned. He described his son as the family’s main breadwinner and called for authorities to establish the truth about the deaths.

The incident has also renewed attention on the dangers surrounding illegal mining in Niger State, which is rich in mineral resources and attracts thousands of artisanal miners.

Officials and experts say criminal gangs operating in the region have exploited the illegal mining trade, taxing miners and demanding payments from those working at mining sites.

Niger State has also experienced a rise in kidnappings attributed to armed criminal groups and jihadist organisations operating in parts of northern and central Nigeria. The state’s extensive forests and mineral resources have made it a target for groups involved in illegal mining, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

As investigations continue, authorities face growing pressure to establish how 37 people died while in state custody and whether overcrowding, poor ventilation, illness or other factors contributed to the tragedy.