Nigerian police have launched an investigation into the deaths of 37 people who were in custody after being arrested for illegal mining activities. The incident occurred in Niger State, a region known for small-scale gold mining.

Officials have attributed the deaths to a disease outbreak, stating that the bodies have been sent for medical examination to determine the precise cause. However, these claims are contrasted by accounts suggesting other factors may have contributed to the fatalities.

According to a survivor interviewed by The Associated Press, Dauda Shehu, the detention facility where the suspects were held was severely overcrowded, with 65 individuals packed into a cell lacking adequate ventilation. Shehu described a struggle for air, indicating that suffocation might have occurred. Detainees reportedly attempted to alert guards by banging on the cell door.

The implications of these deaths are significant, raising serious questions about detention conditions and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps' (NSCDC) handling of detainees. The Niger State Governor has declared three days of mourning for the deceased, acknowledging the tragedy.

An intelligence report cited by AFP suggests that overcrowding and poor ventilation within the NSCDC detention facility in Niger State were the likely causes of death, contradicting the official disease outbreak narrative. This discrepancy highlights a potential cover-up or mismanagement by authorities.

Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, the head of the NSCDC in Niger State, confirmed the arrests were made during an operation targeting illegal mining on Tuesday and Wednesday. He stated that further medical examinations are underway to establish the actual cause of death. The type of disease suspected has not been specified by officials.

Following the reported deaths, protests erupted on Thursday evening, with police deploying tear gas in response. Local media outlets have reported the suspension of NSCDC commander Aniviye, indicating accountability measures may be underway.

Investigators have appealed to the relatives of the victims to come forward with any information that could assist the probe. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges associated with illegal mining and the management of detainees in the region.