Protests Erupt After 37 Suspected Goldminers Die in Nigerian Custody
Quick Brief
Police fired teargas to disperse demonstrations in Minna, Nigeria, following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal goldminers who were held by a paramilitary agency. A survivor from the detention facility described experiencing panic and severe breathing difficulties while inside. Authorities initially attributed the fatalities to an outbreak of disease.
What Happened?
Thirty-seven suspected illegal goldminers died while being held in a detention cell by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), a paramilitary organization operating alongside police in Niger state's capital of Minna. A survivor of the incident shared an account of struggling to breathe and panicking inside the cell. In the wake of the deaths, protests broke out in Minna, prompting police to use teargas against demonstrators. The paramilitary group initially claimed a disease outbreak caused the fatalities.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights serious concerns regarding conditions in detention facilities managed by paramilitary groups in Nigeria, as well as the public safety response to resultant community unrest and protests.
Key Facts
- 37 suspected illegal goldminers died in custody in Minna, the capital of Niger state.
- The detainees were held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), a paramilitary group.
- A survivor reported panicking and struggling to breathe while inside the cell.
- Police used teargas against protesters demonstrating over the deaths.
- The NSCDC initially attributed the fatalities to a disease outbreak.
Compiled from 2 outlets
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