Thirty-seven people arrested over alleged illegal mining have died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. The suspects were arrested during enforcement operations around the Wushishi–Lukoto area on September 15 and 16, and by September 17, 37 of them were dead. Reports indicate that many of the detainees were young people, with some reportedly between 14 and 18 years old. Governor Umaru Bago has confirmed the deaths and said investigators are examining possible suffocation from overcrowding and possible exposure to hazardous substances associated with mining.
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