Niger 37: Why we turned to mining – Survivors

Some of the alleged illegal miners arrested in Niger State have said they turned to mining for survival after persistent attacks by armed bandits forced them to flee their homes and farmlands. The farmers-turned-miners from Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area said their struggle for survival ended in tragedy after 37 artisanal miners died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna. The miners died between last Thursday and Friday after being reportedly locked up in a small cell where they suffocated. The incident has sparked national outrage, with the NSCDC arresting and detaining 24 personnel in connection.

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