Authorities in central Nigeria are investigating after 37 individuals suspected of illegal mining died while held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The deaths occurred in the early hours of Thursday in Niger state, a region vast enough to be more than twice the size of Belgium and rich in mineral resources.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed the incident during a televised news conference in the state capital, Minna. “This morning we woke up to the news that about 37 persons died in the custody of the civil defence here in Minna,” he said, describing the event as tragic. In response, the governor established a committee of inquiry and declared three days of mourning, while also postponing the start of election campaigning scheduled for January.
Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun stated that the Niger state police chief ordered an immediate investigation into the deaths. Meanwhile, the NSCDC attributed the fatalities to a suspected outbreak of disease after rounding up “scores of suspected illegal miners” on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, an intelligence report reviewed by AFP suggests that overcrowding and poor ventilation within the detention facility were the likely causes.
The scene was captured in a 40-second video circulating online, which showed dozens of young men, many appearing to be teenagers, lying on the ground in shorts. Volunteers wearing gloves stood nearby as veiled women attempted to identify the bodies of their relatives, with bystanders heard shouting curses at those responsible.
The incident sparked protests in Minna, where groups of miners and sympathizers damaged vehicles and other belongings. The NSCDC, which collaborates with law enforcement to protect critical infrastructure, confirmed the roundup but did not immediately address the specific conditions cited in the intelligence report.
Niger state has become a hotspot for artisanal gold mining, drawing thousands of prospectors hoping to strike it rich. However, officials and experts note that the scramble for gold is also fueling violence from local criminal gangs, known as bandits, who tax miners and demand a portion of the extracted ore in exchange for access to the pits.
According to a 2024 report by SwissAid, the majority of illegally mined gold from the region is smuggled out to the United Arab Emirates, where it is laundered into global supply chains reaching Europe, the United States, Asia, and South Africa. Beyond gold, Niger state holds significant deposits of tantalite, copper, and lithium, minerals in high demand for electric vehicles and clean energy technologies.
This highlights the dangerous link between illegal mining, armed gangs, and corrupt detention practices. It’s a systemic failure requiring urgent reform.
Does anyone know if the governor’s inquiry committee includes independent human rights observers? We need real accountability, not just mourning.
I cannot believe this happened. How can the NSCDC claim disease caused this when the video clearly shows severe overcrowding?
Thirty-seven people dead in custody is a national tragedy. The government must deliver justice immediately and transparently.