{
  "id": 8245288,
  "title": "Nigerian Police probe deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/nigerian-police-probe-deaths-of-37-suspected-illegal-miners-in-custody",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T12:09:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/nigerian-police-probe-deaths-of-37-suspected-illegal-miners-in-custody/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nineteen individuals accused of unlawful mining in northwestern Nigeria have tragically passed away while under the custody of the Nigerian Police, local authorities revealed. In response, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) launched an inquiry into the unfortunate incident, attributing the deaths to an alleged outbreak of diphtheria, a grave bacterial disease that can prove fatal. However, a confidential intelligence report revealed to the AFP news agency asserts that the fatalities were caused by overcrowding and inadequate ventilation within the detention facility situated in the Nigerian state of Niger. State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed his sorrow over the incident during a press conference, labelling the deaths as \"sad and tragic.\" He subsequently declared a period of mourning and postponed the commencement of electoral campaigning slated for January. An NSCDC commander was subsequently apprehended in connection with the incident. Initially, the group of young men were apprehended on Tuesday for suspected illegal mining activities near Borgu, located in the mineral-rich state of Niger. This region is renowned for its small-scale gold mining operations. The unfortunate events transpired two days later when authorities discovered 37 detained individuals inside the NSCDC-run detention center. Subsequent to the discovery, the NSCDC stated that the detainees may have succumbed to a diphtheria outbreak, a severe bacterial infection with potentially fatal consequences. Conversely, relatives of the deceased have vehemently contested the official explanation, alleging that the individuals were intentionally murdered. The police chief of Niger has ordered an urgent investigation into the \"unfortunate demise of suspected illegal miners while under the custody of the NSCDC,\" according to a statement issued by spokesman Wasiu Abiodun. The bodies of the deceased have been transferred to the main hospital in Minna, a nearby city, for further examination. The intense competition for gold reserves unearthed in illegal mines across Niger State has been linked to the escalation of criminal gang violence, as per officials and experts. According to a 2024 SwissAid report, a significant portion of the gold present in the region is illicitly trafficked through global supply chains.",
  "summary": "A total of 37 people accused of illegal mining in northwestern Nigeria have died in custody, local officials said. Police have set up an investigation into the deaths, which the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) blamed on an apparent disease outbreak. However, an intelligence report shared with the AFP news agency suggested the […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}