37 Miners Die in Niger State Custody After Raids

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps operatives raided suspected illegal mining sites near Minna on September 15 and 16, detaining approximately 65 artisanal miners. By the early hours of September 17, 37 detainees had died inside a holding facility on David Mark Road.

Hospital footage showed 33 bodies in a single ward, while survivors reported severe overcrowding and difficulty breathing in the cells. An intelligence assessment cited inadequate ventilation as a likely factor, contradicting initial official suggestions of a disease outbreak.

“Why is the Nigerian state so capable of finding the person holding the digger and shovel, yet seemingly less capable of identifying and dismantling the people who finance, buy, transport, and profit from the minerals?”

Among the dead were minors and teenagers, prompting Amnesty International to demand an independent investigation. Protests erupted in Minna on September 18, where police used tear gas and reportedly live ammunition to disperse crowds, leading to an overnight curfew.

An NSCDC commander was suspended and the government announced a probe, though Vanguard notes the broader issue of illicit mineral supply chains remains unaddressed. Daily Trust highlights the public health risks of unregulated gold mining, citing past lead poisoning in Zamfara State.