Nigeria: 37 Illegal Miners Die in Police Custody

Sept 18 (Jowhar) - Shock and anger erupted in Minna after the governor of Niger state announced that 37 individuals suspected of illegal mining died while in the custody of Nigeria's civil defense forces.

The police have launched an investigation into the deaths in central Nigeria, after the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) attributed the deaths to illness but an intelligence report indicated overcrowding and poor ventilation.

Niger state - which is more than twice the size of Belgium - is known for its mineral wealth and attracts thousands of artisanal miners, many of whom are seeking gold opportunities.

“This morning we woke up to the news that approximately 37 people died in the hands of the civil defense here in Minna,” Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago told reporters at a press conference broadcast by Nigeria's TVC News.

“It is sad, it is sad,” he said, announcing that a committee has been set up to investigate and has already begun its work.

Bago also declared three days of mourning and postponed the start of the planned election campaign scheduled for January.

An intelligence report seen by AFP indicated that the deaths sparked protests by “groups of miners and sympathizers” in Minna, where vehicles and other property were damaged.

The deceased were in the custody of the NSCDC, an agency that works with the police to protect lives as well as critical national assets and infrastructure.

A 40-second video showed the bodies of dozens of young men dressed in shorts lying on the ground, most of whom appeared to be youths.

In the footage, volunteers in gloves stood over the bodies while veiled women walked around, trying to identify relatives.

Anguished cries about those blamed for the deaths could be heard in the background.