Nigerian authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding 37 deaths that occurred at a detention facility in Niger State. The individuals had been arrested during enforcement operations targeting illegal mining activities conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday. Officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps attributed the deaths to disease outbreak, with the regional commander indicating that autopsies would be conducted to determine the precise cause.
Accounts from survivors painted a different picture of conditions at the facility. One detainee who survived, Dauda Shehu, reported that approximately 65 people were confined to a single cell with inadequate ventilation. According to his account, the overcrowded conditions made breathing difficult, and detainees attempted to alert guards by striking the cell door. An intelligence report cited by international news sources suggested that the combination of overcrowding and poor air circulation may have been contributing factors to the deaths.
The deceased were transferred to Minna General Hospital for medical examination and autopsy procedures. The state governor declared three days of mourning in response to the incident, characterizing the deaths as tragic. Local media reported that protests emerged on Thursday evening, with security personnel deploying tear gas to disperse crowds. Multiple sources indicated that the NSCDC commander overseeing the facility had been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
Authorities have appealed to families of the deceased to provide any additional information that might assist investigators in establishing what happened during the period of detention. The region where the arrests occurred is recognized for artisanal and small-scale gold mining operations.
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