Protests broke out in central Nigeria after 33 people detained during a crackdown on suspected illegal gold mining were found dead while in the custody of a paramilitary agency.
Reuters footage showed 33 bodies at a hospital in Minna, the capital of Niger State, on Thursday. The detainees had been taken into custody by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps during raids on suspected illegal mining sites earlier this week.
The NSCDC said the detainees were arrested during operations in the Wushishi-Lukoto area, west of Minna, on September 15 and 16.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear.
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The agency initially suggested that a suspected disease outbreak may have contributed to the deaths. It later said that no cause had been established and that medical examinations would be required to determine how the detainees died.
Investigation ordered
Nigeria’s Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ordered the immediate suspension of Niger State NSCDC commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye while authorities investigate the incident.
“It is an unfortunate incident, however, a full investigation will be conducted,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
The suspension is intended to allow investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths while the agency’s operations in the state come under scrutiny.
Authorities have not publicly established whether the deaths were linked to the conditions in which the detainees were held, an illness or another cause.
Protests in Minna
News of the deaths triggered protests in Minna on Thursday night.
Residents said groups of young people took to the streets demanding accountability, with protesters chanting “Justice must be done.” Some vehicles were also damaged during the demonstrations.
The city was calm by Friday morning, but security forces had deployed heavily across parts of Minna as authorities sought to prevent further unrest.
The protests reflect wider concerns about the treatment of people detained during security operations and the accountability of state security agencies.
Nigeria’s illegal mining challenge
The deaths occurred during a government crackdown on illegal mining, a longstanding problem in Nigeria.
Authorities have sought to close thousands of informal mining sites across the country, arguing that unregulated mining damages the environment, undermines public safety and deprives the government of revenue.
Gold mining is widespread in several parts of Nigeria, including Niger State, where informal operations have continued despite government efforts to regulate the sector.
The deaths of the detainees could now add pressure on authorities to examine not only the circumstances surrounding the incident but also the conditions under which suspects are detained during mining enforcement operations.
The investigation will be closely watched as authorities seek to establish how 33 people died while in state custody and whether any officials should be held responsible.
With information from Reuters.
