Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago said on Sunday that the 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) showed signs consistent with chemical or toxic exposure.
Speaking on Arise News, Bago said the victims were held in one of three closely situated cells at the facility, and all 37 deaths occurred in the final cell. “There are three cells that are close to each other. Those in the first two cells did not die, but in the last cell, we recorded 37 deaths,” he said.
Describing the condition of the bodies, the governor said: “Looking at the corpses, you can see skin peeling, foam coming from their mouths, and blood around their noses, mouths and ears. These signs suggest two possible causes: exposure to chemicals or exposure to highly poisonous substances.”
Bago stressed that the precise cause of death has not been determined and that medical and laboratory examinations are ongoing. The NSCDC initially described the incident as a suspected disease outbreak when the detainees were found dead in the early hours of 17 September, but later said the cause had yet to be established.
The 37 victims were among 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners arrested during NSCDC operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas on 15 and 16 September. Some of the surviving detainees have been discharged and reunited with their families after giving statements to police or the Department of State Services and undergoing medical tests. A number remain hospitalized receiving treatment for dehydration and malnutrition.
Bago said the state government has begun to support affected families and will hold a prayer at the Central Mosque for the victims. He added that officials are considering possible compensation for the deceased and their families.
The governor also called for stricter regulation of the mining sector, including age controls, oversight of mineral buyers and clearer responsibilities for state authorities. Investigations into the circumstances of the detentions and the cause of the deaths are continuing.
