Dozens of suspected illegal miners die in Nigerian custody

Thirty-seven individuals implicated in illegal mining operations in north-central Nigeria lost their lives while in custody, according to local officials. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which manages the detention facility, has initiated an investigation into the incident, attributing the deaths to a potential disease outbreak.

However, intelligence shared with the AFP news agency indicates that overcrowding and inadequate ventilation within the detention center may have been the actual cause of death. The father of one of the detained individuals, Abdullahi Dalhatu, recounted how his son managed to survive by being close to a small window, while other detainees collapsed due to the suffocating conditions.

Dalhatu's son had been near the window, preventing the collapse of his fellow detainees. The detainees reportedly repeatedly requested assistance through the door but received no response. Niger state's governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, described the deaths as "sad and tragic," calling for three days of mourning and postponing the start of upcoming elections.

An NSCDC commander has been detained following the tragedy, and three days of mourning were declared. The detainees had been arrested on Tuesday for suspected illegal mining activities near Borgu, a region known for small-scale gold mining. The NSCDC reported that over 50 people were arrested during a recent operation, though none had been charged at the time of the deaths.

Illegal mining is a significant issue in Niger state, where artisanal miners often operate in open fields without proper documentation. The NSCDC later clarified that the cause of the deaths had not been confirmed and required further medical and laboratory tests. Relatives expressed their concerns, stating that the detainees appeared healthy before their arrest and questioning how a disease could claim so many lives without affecting the guards.

Post-mortem examinations are being conducted to determine the cause of the deaths. Niger's police chief ordered an immediate investigation into the incident, and the victims' bodies have been sent to a hospital for examination. The exact cause of the deaths remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether any of the suspects had been charged prior to their passing.

The constitution requires detained individuals to be brought before a court within a reasonable timeframe, typically within a day or two, depending on the location. The illegal mining rush in Niger state has contributed to criminal gang violence, as reported by officials and experts. Gold reserves in the region are trafficked through global supply chains, as highlighted in a 2024 SwissAid report.