Niger Governor Mohammed Bago questions the number of miners arrested after 37 detainees died in NSCDC custody in Minna.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has questioned the number of suspected miners arrested before 37 detainees died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Minna.
Bago said about 67 people were reportedly arrested during operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state. Authorities allegedly divided the suspects among three cells. However, all 37 deaths occurred in the cell where male detainees were held.
Bago Raises Questions Over Cause Of Deaths
Speaking on NTA Network News, Bago said overcrowding could have contributed to the deaths. He also raised the possibility of poisoning from hazardous substances at the mining site.
“It can be claimed that they were suffocated in that facility of the Civil Defense,” he said.
The governor added that radiation or lead poisoning could also be investigated.
However, Bago stressed that authorities had yet to establish the actual cause of death. Teams from the Ministry of Mines, police and Department of State Services are investigating the incident.
Medical examinations and biopsies have also begun, with some results expected within five days and others within 10 days.
Governor Describes Condition Of Bodies
Bago also expressed concern over the condition of some of the bodies recovered from the facility. He said some corpses showed signs that required further medical examination.
“Because when you look at the corpses, some were really peeling off, like they were burnt,” he said.
The governor added that some bodies had foam around their mouths, while others reportedly had blood stains around their noses and mouths.
“So, this could mean a lot of things,” Bago said.
For now, investigators have not confirmed whether suffocation, poisoning or another factor caused the deaths. The Federal Government has also suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant and other officials to allow the investigation to proceed.
Bago Questions Number Of Detainees
Meanwhile, Bago questioned whether officials had accurately reported the number of people arrested. He said the state government was not informed when the arrests took place and only received information after some detainees had died.
“I think there is need for more collaboration between federal agencies and the state government,” he said.
Bago also called for better information sharing among security agencies.The governor further questioned how officials arrived at the reported figure of 67 detainees.
“If a total of 67 people were really, really arrested, then it means out of the 67, 37 have died,” he said.
Bago noted that the first two cells recorded no deaths. The third cell, which held male detainees, recorded all 37 deaths. He said authorities must also enforce a maximum number of people allowed in detention cells.
Survivors Make Fresh Allegations
The governor’s comments came as survivors reportedly gave different accounts of what happened inside the facility. One survivor claimed that about 65 suspected illegal miners were held in one cell and struggled for air because of overcrowding.
Another survivor alleged that someone sprayed a perfume-like substance inside the cell. According to the account, some detainees began collapsing shortly afterwards.
Authorities have not confirmed either allegation. The Niger State Government has also established a committee of inquiry, chaired by the deputy governor and involving security chiefs in the state.
Meanwhile, police and other agencies are continuing their investigations as authorities seek to establish what caused the deaths and determine what happened inside the detention facility.
