Niger State Miners Turn to Survival Mining Amid Insecurity

Survivors from Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, revealed that they resorted to mining for survival after armed bandits forced them to flee their homes and farms. The situation escalated tragically when 37 artisanal miners died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna.

These miners suffocated in a small cell between last Thursday and Friday. The incident has led to national outrage, resulting in the arrest and detention of 24 NSCDC personnel linked to the deaths.

In response, the Federal Government established a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident, inaugurated by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, with a two-week deadline for completion. Dauda Shehu, a displaced individual who was a butcher before the attacks, shared that the ongoing insecurity has made traditional livelihoods impossible, pushing many to mining despite the risks involved.