Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna.
Bago confirmed the deaths during a press conference in Minna, describing the incident as “sad” and “tragic”. The victims were among scores of people arrested during NSCDC operations targeting illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas this month.
The governor said the state government had established a committee of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
He also said the NSCDC commandant in Niger State and his team had been suspended to allow for a proper investigation.
“The most important is that people died in the custody of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps. They were detained in their cells, and this morning we woke up to the news that 37 of them had died,” Bago said.
The governor stressed that the cause of death had not been established and warned against drawing conclusions before the completion of medical and forensic investigations.
He said investigators were considering possible suffocation caused by overcrowding, as well as exposure to hazardous substances linked to illegal mining.
“It could be as a result of suffocation because there were so many in a cell. The second issue could be because of exposure to maybe lead poisoning or other very hazardous chemicals that are used to do the illegal mining,” he said.
The NSCDC had earlier said some detainees were found dead in the early hours of 17 September following a suspected disease outbreak, while stressing that the actual cause of death remained unconfirmed. The bodies were deposited at General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination.
Bago said forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies were being conducted to establish the scientific cause of the deaths.
He added that the police, NSCDC and Department of State Services had also constituted investigative committees.
The governor further announced the closure of the illegal mining site in the M.I. Wushishi area, saying mining activities there were being carried out without appropriate technology and safety equipment.
He appealed to youths and residents to remain calm after the movement of the bodies to the mortuary reportedly triggered emotional reactions and violence.
“We are calling on all the youths to please stay away from violence. It’s not going to bring back those that have died. It would cost us a lot at the end of the day,” he said.
Bago said the state government was compiling a register of the deceased to identify and reach their families.
The Federal Government has also ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State NSCDC commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending a full investigation into the deaths.
