At least 37 individuals detained for alleged illegal mining activities were found dead in Nigerian security custody on Thursday, officials announced. The deaths occurred in a facility where the suspects had been held, according to statements from local authorities.
Security officials attributed the fatalities to a suspected disease outbreak, though no specific illness has yet been confirmed. The exact nature of the outbreak and the conditions that may have contributed to the deaths remain unclear.
The suspects had been arrested on charges related to illegal mining operations, a sector that has drawn increasing scrutiny from Nigerian authorities in recent years. The incident has raised concerns about the treatment and health safeguards for detainees in the country.
Details about the location of the detention centre, the number of staff present, or any ongoing investigations have not yet been released. The Nigerian government has not issued a formal statement beyond the brief explanation of a disease outbreak.
<small>Source: Africanews — read the original story there.</small>
