At least 33 suspects who were detained on allegations of illegal mining have died while in the custody of Nigerian security forces. The deaths occurred on Thursday in north-central Niger state, according to officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
Abubakar Muti, a spokesman for the NSCDC, confirmed the fatalities and indicated that authorities believe a disease outbreak in the area may be responsible for the deaths. The detainees had been in custody since the agency conducted a series of arrests on Tuesday and Wednesday related to suspected illegal mining activities in the region.
Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, the head of the NSCDC in Niger state, issued a statement on Thursday addressing the incident. While the agency currently suspects that a disease is the underlying cause, Aniviye confirmed that the bodies of the deceased have been transported to a local hospital. Medical professionals are expected to perform further examinations to definitively establish the actual cause of death.
