37 Miners D!e In NSCDC Custody: Niger Gov Reveals Shocking Findings As Probe Begins

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has urged Nigerians to await the outcome of ongoing investigations into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the governor said the circumstances surrounding the deaths remained unclear, with investigators examining several possible causes, including poisoning, suffocation, overcrowding and exposure to hazardous substances linked to mining activities.

Bago disclosed that preliminary observations from some of the bodies had raised further questions, with reports of blood or foam around the mouths of some victims and burns noticed on some of the bodies. He stressed that it was too early to determine the exact cause of death, adding that samples had been collected for laboratory analysis while medical examinations, forensic investigations and autopsies were being conducted.

The governor appealed to members of the public to remain calm and allow the relevant authorities to establish what happened. He said the NSCDC, Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services had commenced separate investigations, while the state government had also constituted a panel to investigate the incident.

The deaths triggered protests in Minna, with youths reportedly taking to the streets and blocking some major roads. Following the unrest, Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew across the state capital, effective immediately after Friday prayers, as authorities moved to restore order and prevent further escalation.

The governor also announced the suspension of mining activities across Niger State and ordered the closure of illegal mining operations around the M.I. Wushishi area. He expressed concern over mining activities allegedly being carried out without adequate technology, safety equipment and protective measures.

Bago said the government needed to establish exactly what occurred at the mining site and determine whether unsafe mining practices or exposure to dangerous substances contributed to the deaths. He maintained that the ongoing investigations would help establish the facts and guide further action.

The Niger State Government has also suspended the state NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and his team to allow for an impartial investigation into the incident. The government has assured the families of the deceased that the circumstances surrounding the deaths would be thoroughly investigated.