Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has disclosed that 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners were held in a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, cell before 37 of them died in custody.
The miners were arrested during NSCDC operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The deaths were discovered in the early hours of September 17.
Cause of Death Still Unknown
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.
The NSCDC initially suggested that a suspected disease outbreak could have been responsible.
The Corps later clarified that the actual cause had not been established.
Medical and laboratory examinations are expected to provide more answers.
Bago Lists Possible Causes
Governor Bago said investigators were considering several possibilities.
One possibility is suffocation caused by overcrowding inside the cell.
Another is exposure to poisonous or hazardous substances linked to mining activities.
“The first one is that the office of the Niger State Civil Defence arrested 67 artisans and illegal miners and put them in their cell,” Bago said.
“So probably they died of suffocation. Probably the second one is exposure to certain poisons or poisoning substances on the field.”
The governor stressed that these were possibilities being investigated, not established causes of death.
Experts Collect Samples
Bago said medical, forensic and biological teams had been deployed.
The teams are collecting samples from the scene and other relevant locations.
He said autopsies and examinations must be completed quickly to determine what happened.
Experts have also been deployed to investigate the possibility of radiological exposure at the mining site.
NSCDC Commandant Suspended
The Federal Government has suspended Niger State NSCDC Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye.
A full investigation has also been ordered.
Bago said the conduct of the NSCDC personnel involved in the arrests must form part of the investigation.
He described the death of 37 people as a serious incident.
The governor also called for greater safety measures in artisanal mining.
He said miners need protective equipment and better awareness of the dangers associated with mining activities.
The investigation is expected to establish how the 37 miners died and whether overcrowding, toxic exposure, medical conditions or other factors played a role.
