NSCDC Custody Deaths: 37 Miners Confirmed Dead

On September 15 and 16, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) conducted operations in Niger State, resulting in the arrest of several suspected illegal miners. Following these arrests, 37 of the detained suspects were found dead in custody on Thursday morning, attributed to a suspected outbreak of disease.

Suberu Aniviye, the NSCDC commandant in Niger State at the time, confirmed the deaths. In response, the Federal Government suspended the NSCDC commandant and initiated an investigation into the incident.

The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) compiled a list of the deceased, with Awaisu Giwa, an International Peace Ambassador at the IHRC, stating that the list was obtained from the General Hospital in Minna. The Chief Medical Director (CMD) instructed the mortuary attendant to provide the names, and additional names were later reported by relatives.

This list will also assist in facilitating compensation for the victims' families.