Nigeria probes into deaths of dozens of suspected illegal miners in custody

Nigerian authorities have launched an investigation into the deaths of dozens of suspected illegal miners in the custody of a security agency in the country's central Niger State, reported Xinhua.

In a statement late Thursday, Wasiu Abiodun, spokesman for the Niger State police, said at least 33 suspected illegal miners who were in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and undergoing investigation were found dead at a detention facility in the state capital, Minna, earlier in the day.

However, Niger State Governor Umar Bago said in a separate statement that 37 suspected miners had died in NSCDC custody, and declared a three-day mourning period beginning Friday.

The police authorities have ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to take charge of the probe to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, Abiodun said. He urged the families and associates of the deceased to support the police investigation by providing any available information.

The suspected illegal miners were arrested during separate raids in the Wushishi-Lukoto axis on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of efforts to curb illegal mining activities in the state, the Niger State command of the NSCDC said in another statement.

Although the cause of the deaths remains unknown, the NSCDC said they could be linked to a disease outbreak, pending medical and laboratory confirmation.

Local sources said the detainees might have died from excessive heat, noting that people under investigation are often held in overcrowded cells with poor ventilation in Nigeria.

The remains of the deceased have been sent to a health facility for examination to determine the cause of death.