[HumanAngleMedia] In Minna, North Central Nigeria, 37 young people and children, one as young as 11, have turned up dead in state custody barely 24-48 hours after being arrested by the NSCDC. HumAngle spoke to parents, a survivor, and family members about the events. Here is what happened.
By Abdulsalam Mahmud
It was like any other day for some young men, teenagers, and children – one as young as 11 – who left their homes for mining sites in Minna, Niger State, in North Central Nigeria, on Wednesday, Sept. 16. They went with the hope to return with enough money to buy food, support their parents, or contribute to household expenses.
Hassan Ismaila, one of those young men, said that shortly after they resumed work early that morning, about seven patrol vehicles belonging to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrived at their site along Maitumbi Road. According to Hassan, who has been an artisanal miner for over four years, the operatives began shooting into the air and chasing miners at the site. He said some, including himself, managed to escape while others were arrested and taken away.
By Thursday evening, Sept. 17, many of the families of those arrested were standing outside the Minna General Hospital, waiting to identify their dead relatives.
NSCDC Niger State Command said that 37 of the arrested miners were found dead in the cell on Thursday morning “following a suspected outbreak of disease”. Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, the state Commandant who has since been suspended, noted that the bodies were deposited at Minna General Hospital for medical examination to establish the actual cause of death.
Several family members who spoke to HumAngle in Minna said their relatives left home in good health. Hence, the official explanation has not answered the questions surrounding the deaths of their children, brothers, and breadwinners.
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