Nigeria Investigates 37 Custody Deaths as Miner Describes Detention Conditions

Nigeria is investigating the deaths of 37 people suspected of illegal mining after a surviving detainee described severe conditions in custody.

Nigerian authorities are investigating the deaths in custody of 37 people suspected of working as illegal miners, while a surviving detainee has described harsh conditions inside a detention cell.

Dauda Shehu, a 29-year-old miner, said his friend died while being held by a Nigerian security agency in the north-central region. Shehu also alleged that detainees were sweating heavily in unbearable conditions and that one person fainted before being resuscitated.

According to Shehu, detainees appealed to officials from the NSCDC for assistance, but their request was ignored. Describing his own experience, he said: “How I survived in that cell is only by the grace of God. It felt as if they wanted all of us to die there. We would have resisted the arrest at the mining site and even been prepared to die there.”

Investigations under way

The cause of the deaths has not been established. Mohammed Umaru Bago, governor of Niger State, said forensic examinations and autopsies were being conducted.

The Niger State government has established a committee of inquiry. The Nigerian government has also appointed a 10-member committee made up of professionals from the law, security, mining and medical fields.

The head of the security agency in Niger State was suspended on Friday. Authorities also announced the suspension of 20 more NSCDC personnel. The names of the suspended personnel, as well as the committee’s investigation timetable, have not been provided.

Illegal mining and insecurity

Illegal mining remains a major challenge in parts of north-central and northwest Nigeria. Analysts have linked mining activity in those areas to armed gangs involved in kidnappings for ransom, and have said the illicit trade provides funding for such groups.

However, the allegations about the detention conditions and the ignored appeal for assistance come from Shehu and have not been independently verified in the available information. The circumstances surrounding the 37 deaths also remain under investigation.