Niger governor reveals 67 miners were crowded into NSCDC cell before 37 died

Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago says 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners were detained in an NSCDC cell before 37 of them died in custody.

According to The PUNCH, Bago disclosed this while addressing journalists in Minna on Friday as investigations into the deaths continued.

The governor said authorities had yet to establish the cause of death but were examining possible suffocation from overcrowding and exposure to hazardous substances linked to mining activities.

He said medical, forensic and biological teams had been deployed to collect samples, while experts were examining possible radiological exposure.

Bago called for expedited autopsies and investigations, stressing that the deaths of 37 people should not be treated lightly by authorities.