A Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commander has been detained in Nigeria’s north-western Niger State following the deaths of 37 teenagers in custody after being arrested for alleged illegal gold mining.

The teenagers were detained by civil defence operatives on Tuesday and their bodies were discovered on Thursday before being transferred to the General Hospital in Minna, the capital of Niger State, Nigeria.

State authorities initially attributed the deaths to a potential disease outbreak; however, subsequent reports indicate the victims suffocated due to severe overcrowding and insufficient ventilation at the detention facility.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago declared three days of state mourning, suspended election campaign activities, and inaugurated a commission of inquiry to investigate the incident.

–ChannelAfrica–