Probe into alleged illegal miners’ deaths in detention

Thirty-seven people accused of illegal mining in north-central Nigeria have died in custody, official say. Police have set up an investigation into the deaths, which the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) blamed on an apparent disease outbreak, reports BBC News. However, an intelligence report shared with AFP suggested the group had died because of overcrowding and poor ventilation inside the detention facility in Niger state. The deaths have sparked disturbances including attacks on public buildings, and a 24-hour curfew has been put in place in the state capital, Minna, as a result. Last Tuesday, a group of young men were arrested for suspected illegal mining near Borgu – a part of Niger state known for small-scale gold mining. Two days later, 37 people were found dead inside the detention centre run by the NSCDC – responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and tackling crimes including illegal mining. NSCDC spokesperson Babawale Afolabi said more than 50 people had been arrested, and they had not been charged because profiling and documentation were still under way before the deaths. State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago said an NSCDC commander has been detained following the deaths. He declared three days of mourning and postponed the start of campaigning for elections scheduled for January. The scramble for gold reserves dug up in illegal mines in Niger state has been blamed for fuelling criminal gang violence, according to officials and experts.