Horror in NSCDC cell of death

At least 37 people died in a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) cell in Minna, Niger State. According to the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners were being held in the cell. The miners were arrested during NSCDC enforcement operations on September 15 and 16.

The cause of death is not yet established, but Governor Bago mentioned possible suffocation and exposure to hazardous substances associated with mining activities as issues being examined. The NSCDC initially suggested a disease outbreak might have been responsible, but later clarified that medical and laboratory examinations were needed to determine the cause.

Survivors have alleged suffocation and dehydration. Governor Bago said medical, forensic and biological experts had been mobilised to investigate the incident. The deaths were discovered in the early hours of September 17.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, Ripples Nigeria — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.