37 suspected illegal miners die in custody in central Nigeria
Summary
Thirty-seven people suspected of illegal mining died while held by Nigeria’s civil defence forces in Niger state. Authorities are investigating whether the deaths were caused by disease or poor conditions like overcrowding and bad air circulation.Key Facts
- The deaths happened in a detention center run by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger state.
- Officials and reports conflict, with some blaming a disease outbreak and others pointing to overcrowding and poor ventilation.
- Niger state is large, mineral-rich, and attracts many small-scale miners hoping to find gold.
- The governor declared three days of mourning and postponed election campaigning after the incident.
- The Nigerians Security and Civil Defence Corps had detained many suspected illegal miners shortly before the deaths.
- Protests followed the deaths, causing some damage in the state capital, Minna.
- Illegal mining in Niger state is linked to criminal gangs who demand money from miners and help smuggle gold abroad.
- Niger state also has valuable minerals like tantalite, copper, and lithium used in electric cars and clean energy.
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