Protests erupt in Nigeria after 37 detainees die in custody — Cyprus Mail
Protests took place in the city of Minna in central Nigeria after 37 detainees were found dead in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. They were detained during raids on allegedly illegal gold mines in the Wushishi-Lukoto area, west of Minna, the capital of Niger State.
As Cyprus Mail reports, citing Reuters, agency journalists saw 33 bodies in a ward at Minna General Hospital on September 17. The following day, state authorities said that 37 detainees had died in total.
The cause of the deaths is being determined
The corps said that the detentions took place on September 15 and 16. Initially, it suggested that a possible disease outbreak could have been linked to the deaths. Later, the agency said that the cause of the deaths had not yet been established and was to be determined based on medical examinations.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ordered the immediate suspension of the corps commander in Niger State, Suberu Siyaku Aniwiye, pending the completion of a full investigation. The Ministry of Interior described the incident as regrettable and said an investigation was underway.
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Relatives' statements and protests
The mother of one of the detainees, Shafa'atu Suleiman, told Reuters that she had visited her son Abdullahi in detention and saw him in a cramped corps cell. She later learned of his death. According to her, officials did not allow relatives to provide food to detainees and demanded 100,000 naira, or about $75, for release. Corps representatives did not respond to repeated Reuters requests for comment on these allegations.
On the night of September 18, young people in Minna took to the streets demanding justice. According to local residents, some protesters damaged vehicles. The city was calm in the morning, although the presence of security forces was increased in some areas.
Nigerian authorities have for many years sought to counter unauthorized mineral extraction at thousands of informal sites. Officials say such activity harms the environment and leads to losses in state revenue.
