37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die In Niger Custody

The deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State have triggered public anger, protests and calls for answers after the detainees died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The victims were among more than 50 people arrested on suspicion of illegal mining near Borgu, an area known for small-scale gold mining. Two days after the arrests, 37 detainees were found dead inside an NSCDC detention facility. Authorities have launched investigations into the deaths.

But the biggest question remains: what caused the deaths?

The NSCDC initially suggested that the detainees may have died from a diphtheria outbreak, although its national headquarters later said the cause of death had not yet been established. An intelligence report shared with AFP, however, reportedly pointed to overcrowding and poor ventilation inside the detention facility as a possible explanation. The BBC said it could not independently verify the account.

Relatives of the deceased have also raised questions about the conditions inside the facility. One detainee’s father said survivors described extreme heat, overcrowding and poor ventilation, while another relative called for an independent post-mortem examination. The bodies have been taken to the General Hospital in Minna for examination.

The deaths have also triggered unrest in Minna, with protesters attacking public buildings and buses before being dispersed by police using tear gas. In response, a 24-hour curfew was imposed in the state capital. Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago described the deaths as “sad and tragic”, ordered three days of mourning and said an NSCDC commander had been detained.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the incident has brought renewed attention to Nigeria’s fight against illegal mining, particularly in gold-producing areas of Niger State. Officials and experts have linked the scramble for gold reserves to criminal activity, while a 2024 SwissAid report found that much of the gold from the region is trafficked through global supply chains.

The investigation will now have to establish what happened inside the detention facility, whether the deaths were caused by disease, the conditions of detention or another factor, and whether proper procedures were followed after the suspects were arrested.

For the families waiting for answers, however, the central question is much simpler:

How did 37 people taken into custody end up dead?