Thirty-seven suspected illegal gold miners died in the custody of a paramilitary civil defence group in Minna, Niger state, following an incident on Thursday that survivors attribute to severe overcrowding and a lack of ventilation. According to AFP reporting, the deaths sparked street protests, police gunfire, and a dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed by the government, while President Bola Tinubu ordered an urgent investigation into the tragedy.
Survivor Accounts Detail Suffocation Inside Overcrowded Cells
Survivors interviewed at a city hospital described panic inside the detention facility as air ran out. “We were jam-packed in the cell, no ventilation for us to breathe well,” survivor Dauda Shehu told journalists, according to AFP. Shehu added that detainees banged on the doors and shouted that people were dying, but guards refused to answer. An intelligence report seen by AFP indicated that the 37 men died from overcrowding and poor ventilation, though civil defence officials initially blamed disease.
Did you know? Niger state is more than twice the size of Belgium and attracts thousands of artisanal miners due to its rich mineral deposits, particularly gold.
Government Suspension and Presidential Investigation Ordered
Following the deaths, Nigeria’s federal government suspended a civil defence commander. President Bola Tinubu called the incident unacceptable and ordered a thorough and transparent investigation. “The fact that these individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment,” the president said in a statement reported by AFP. Tinubu added that his administration will not tolerate deaths resulting from official negligence, abuse, or dereliction of duty.
Protests Erupt in Minna Prompting Curfew and Police Action
Tensions spilled onto the streets of Minna as sympathisers protested the deaths of the young men, whose bodies appeared in a widely shared 40-second online video wearing only shorts. Police fired shots to disperse the crowds, though it remained unclear whether officers used anti-riot pellets or live ammunition. Mobs blocked a major street and attacked a transport depot, a bank, political party offices, and private businesses. In response to the escalating unrest, the government enforced a dusk-to-dawn curfew across the capital.
Families Demand Answers Amid Wider Regional Violence
Families of the victims are demanding accountability. Mallam Abdullahi, who lost his son and family breadwinner Salim, told reporters that his son had left home three days prior to mine and never returned. “They should tell us what truly killed our children… We need justice,” Abdullahi said. According to officials and experts cited by AFP, the rush for gold in Niger state has fueled violence involving criminal gangs known locally as bandits, who tax miners and demand cuts of extracted ore. The region has also faced an influx of kidnapping-for-ransom groups from the northwest and jihadists from the northeast utilizing the state’s vast forests and game reserves for sanctuary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the deaths of the 37 miners in Minna?
An intelligence report cited by AFP indicates the men died from severe overcrowding and poor ventilation inside a civil defence detention facility, while survivors reported suffocation and guards ignoring their calls for help.
How has the Nigerian government responded?
President Bola Tinubu ordered a full and transparent investigation into official negligence, and the government suspended a civil defence commander.
Why is illegal mining prevalent in Niger state?
Niger state contains vast mineral reserves that attract thousands of artisanal miners seeking gold, though the industry is heavily targeted by criminal gangs and bandits demanding levies.