At least 37 people suspected of illegal mining have died while in the custody of Nigeria’s civil defence corps in Niger State, authorities said Thursday (Sep 17), prompting an investigation into the mass deaths.Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, at a press conference, said the victims died at a detention facility in the state capital, Minna. He described the incident as “sad” and “tragic” and said a committee of inquiry had been set up and had already begun work.“This morning we woke up to the news that about 37 persons died in the custody of the civil defence here in Minna,” Bago told reporters at a news conference broadcast by TVC News.The governor declared three days of mourning and has also postponed the planned start of campaigning for elections due in January.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-is-plotting-something-bad-russia-may-launch-accidental-strikes-on-nato-countries-supporting-ukraine-britain-poland-pm-warns-1789697149962">Putin 'is plotting something bad': Russia may launch 'accidental' strikes on NATO countries supporting Ukraine, Poland PM warns</a><h2>Police launch probe into deaths</h2>The Niger state police command said it had opened an investigation after the deaths were discovered. Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun, as quoted by AFP, said the state police chief had “ordered the immediate commencement of investigation into the unfortunate death of suspected illegal miners while in the detention facility of the NSCDC”.The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said it had arrested “scores of suspected illegal miners” on Tuesday and Wednesday.According to the corps, the detainees were found dead in the early hours of September 17 after what it described as a “suspected outbreak of disease”.However, an intelligence report suggests that the deaths may have resulted from “overcrowding and inadequate ventilation” inside the detention facility. The exact cause of the deaths has not yet been established.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-48-dead-100-hospitalised-in-nigeria-after-drinking-suspected-methanol-laced-alcohol-1789698948857">At least 48 dead in Nigeria after drinking suspected methanol-laced alcohol</a><h2>Protest reported in Minna; Video of dead circulating online</h2>The deaths reportedly triggered protests in Minna involving “groups of miners and sympathisers”, according to the intelligence report cited by AFP. Cars and other belongings were damaged during the unrest.A video circulating online showed the bodies of dozens of young men lying outside, many wearing only shorts. Volunteers wearing gloves could be seen around the bodies while women in veils attempted to identify relatives. Video below — viewer discretion advised.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">What I heard about the video below &quot;They&#39;re illegal miners that died a day or two after being arrested and taken into custody, of a disease.&quot; Buh my opinion on it: 👇 Arrested Sept 15–16. Dead by Sept 17 and the official story is &#39;suspected disease&#39;? No name for the disease,… <a href="https://t.co/iaUvKi7pjo">pic.twitter.com/iaUvKi7pjo</a>&mdash; Silent Beamer (@silent_beamer) <a href="https://x.com/silent_beamer/status/2100740373920231683?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

37 suspected illegal miners have died while in custody in Nigeria’s Niger State, triggering a police and government investigation. Officials say the cause has not yet been established, with competing explanations emerging over what happened inside the detention facility. All we know.

At least 37 people suspected of illegal mining have died while in the custody of Nigeria’s civil defence corps in Niger State, authorities said Thursday (Sep 17), prompting an investigation into the mass deaths. Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, at a press conference, said the victims died at a detention facility in the state capital, Minna. He described the incident as “sad” and “tragic” and said a committee of inquiry had been set up and had already begun work. “This morning we woke up to the news that about 37 persons died in the custody of the civil defence here in Minna,” Bago told reporters at a news conference broadcast by TVC News. The governor declared three days of mourning and has also postponed the planned start of campaigning for elections due in January. Also read | Putin 'is plotting something bad': Russia may launch 'accidental' strikes on NATO countries supporting Ukraine, Poland PM warns Police launch probe into deaths The Niger state police command said it had opened an investigation after the deaths were discovered. Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun, as quoted by AFP, said the state police chief had “ordered the immediate commencement of investigation into the unfortunate death of suspected illegal miners while in the detention facility of the NSCDC”. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said it had arrested “scores of suspected illegal miners” on Tuesday and Wednesday. According to the corps, the detainees were found dead in the early hours of September 17 after what it described as a “suspected outbreak of disease”. However, an intelligence report suggests that the deaths may have resulted from “overcrowding and inadequate ventilation” inside the detention facility. The exact cause of the deaths has not yet been established. Also read | At least 48 dead in Nigeria after drinking suspected methanol-laced alcohol Protest reported in Minna; Video of dead circulating online The deaths reportedly triggered protests in Minna involving “groups of miners and sympathisers”, according to the intelligence report cited by AFP. Cars and other belongings were damaged during the unrest. A video circulating online showed the bodies of dozens of young men lying outside, many wearing only shorts. Volunteers wearing gloves could be seen around the bodies while women in veils attempted to identify relatives. Video below — viewer discretion advised.

37 suspected illegal miners have died while in custody in Nigeria’s Niger State, triggering a police and government investigation. Officials say the cause has not yet been established, with competing explanations emerging over what happened inside the detention facility. All we know.

Nigeria: 37 suspected illegal miners die in custody; 'overcrowding and inadequate ventilation' under investigation

24-year-old Gade Sai Krishna was arrested by a task force from Markapuram, roughly 300 km from Vijaywada, on May 5. He was then handed over to the Krishnalanka police station on May 6, in relation to a non-bailable police warrant. Almost a month later, Sai's mother, Gade Vijayalakshmi, was seeking details about his whereabouts from the police. He had allegedly gone missing. Sai's mother Vijayalakshmi, alleged custodial torture, death, and cremation by a police officer.&nbsp;Vijayalakshmi alleged that she visited the Police Station to plea the police to release her son, where she saw his legs were tied up and heard his cries. She was verbally abused, denied information and made to leave. According to Vijaylakshmi, she had been allegedly warned by Krishnalanka Circle Inspector Nagaraju, “Buy a funeral garland.” She reportedly continued to visit the police station almost every day since Sai's disappearance until she finally approached the High Court on June 2.&nbsp;<h2>The SIT probe</h2>A SIT was formed on June 21, 2026, to investigate the sudden "disappearance" of Sai Krishna. The SIT submitted a report to the local Vijaywada Court on June 24, 2026. It turned the "disappearance" case into a custodial death. The main accused is a 53-year-old Circle Inspector Suda Suresh Veera Venkata (SSVV) Nagaraju, who has been arrested and suspended from the job. The preliminary remand report and the FIR mentioned that instead of producing Sai Krishna before a magistrate within 24 hours, the police kept him in illegal confinement. It confirmed that he died from injuries sustained during custody between May 6 and May 8. The report also said that to cover up this death, CCTV footage from May 1 to June 1 was intentionally deleted from the DVR system. His body was secretly burned, and his ashes were disposed of in the nearby Krishna River to get rid of any physical evidence. The final report, tracking down the remains of Sai, and the capture of his associates are yet to be concluded.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-iran-scheduled-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-funeral-on-us-independence-day-1782633801417">Why Iran scheduled Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral to coincide with US Independence Day</a><h2>A persistent culture of impunity&nbsp;</h2>Sai Krishna had a recorded history of around 20 criminal cases; he had been allegedly involved in the local cannabis trade. He had been acquitted of 18 cases, and two cases were pending. Among the acquitted cases, there was a POCSO case as well. Sai's family alleged that because of his rap sheet, he was a perfect target for the police to score brownie points by showing that they had clamped down on the local cannabis trade. Similar to the case of Sai Krishna, a Dalit man, Kranthi Kumar, explicitly alleged that he was subjected to brutal caste-based harassment and torture by the same officer, CI Nagaraju. He died by suicide after recording a selfie video.&nbsp;In India, 170 custodial deaths were recorded in 2025-26 up to March 15, according to data presented in Lok Sabha. The number may seem too small for a country like India, but many cases of custodial torture do not result in death. &nbsp;While many investigations have shown that scores of custodial deaths are not even reported as one. But the most striking number is that only one case of disciplinary action has been reported. This implies that state continues to absorb the public shock of transforming the police lockup into a lawless “state of exception” within the bureaucratic machinery, using Special Investigation Teams and legal procedures, while performing hollow justice.Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said that if they should defend someone who was involved in the rape of a 14-year-old, if they should defend someone just because he belongs to the same caste as he comes from. This interpretation of structural violence specifically targeted at the marginalised groups because of their past criminal history, is defined by a Cameroonian Sociologist Achille Mbembe as Necropolitics. It interprets the structural violence of police brutality as an isolated case and allows the state to exercise the power of death over specific individuals, and justifies that the victim's life was "disposable" and lacked social or legal worth.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sai Krishna disappeared after being taken into police custody in Andhra Pradesh. An SIT later found evidence of custodial death, illegal detention and an alleged cover-up.

24-year-old Gade Sai Krishna was arrested by a task force from Markapuram, roughly 300 km from Vijaywada, on May 5. He was then handed over to the Krishnalanka police station on May 6, in relation to a non-bailable police warrant. Almost a month later, Sai's mother, Gade Vijayalakshmi, was seeking details about his whereabouts from the police. He had allegedly gone missing. Sai's mother Vijayalakshmi, alleged custodial torture, death, and cremation by a police officer. Vijayalakshmi alleged that she visited the Police Station to plea the police to release her son, where she saw his legs were tied up and heard his cries. She was verbally abused, denied information and made to leave. According to Vijaylakshmi, she had been allegedly warned by Krishnalanka Circle Inspector Nagaraju, “Buy a funeral garland.” She reportedly continued to visit the police station almost every day since Sai's disappearance until she finally approached the High Court on June 2. The SIT probe A SIT was formed on June 21, 2026, to investigate the sudden "disappearance" of Sai Krishna. The SIT submitted a report to the local Vijaywada Court on June 24, 2026. It turned the "disappearance" case into a custodial death. The main accused is a 53-year-old Circle Inspector Suda Suresh Veera Venkata (SSVV) Nagaraju, who has been arrested and suspended from the job. The preliminary remand report and the FIR mentioned that instead of producing Sai Krishna before a magistrate within 24 hours, the police kept him in illegal confinement. It confirmed that he died from injuries sustained during custody between May 6 and May 8. The report also said that to cover up this death, CCTV footage from May 1 to June 1 was intentionally deleted from the DVR system. His body was secretly burned, and his ashes were disposed of in the nearby Krishna River to get rid of any physical evidence. The final report, tracking down the remains of Sai, and the capture of his associates are yet to be concluded. Also Read: Why Iran scheduled Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral to coincide with US Independence Day A persistent culture of impunity Sai Krishna had a recorded history of around 20 criminal cases; he had been allegedly involved in the local cannabis trade. He had been acquitted of 18 cases, and two cases were pending. Among the acquitted cases, there was a POCSO case as well. Sai's family alleged that because of his rap sheet, he was a perfect target for the police to score brownie points by showing that they had clamped down on the local cannabis trade. Similar to the case of Sai Krishna, a Dalit man, Kranthi Kumar, explicitly alleged that he was subjected to brutal caste-based harassment and torture by the same officer, CI Nagaraju. He died by suicide after recording a selfie video. In India, 170 custodial deaths were recorded in 2025-26 up to March 15, according to data presented in Lok Sabha. The number may seem too small for a country like India, but many cases of custodial torture do not result in death. While many investigations have shown that scores of custodial deaths are not even reported as one. But the most striking number is that only one case of disciplinary action has been reported. This implies that state continues to absorb the public shock of transforming the police lockup into a lawless “state of exception” within the bureaucratic machinery, using Special Investigation Teams and legal procedures, while performing hollow justice. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said that if they should defend someone who was involved in the rape of a 14-year-old, if they should defend someone just because he belongs to the same caste as he comes from. This interpretation of structural violence specifically targeted at the marginalised groups because of their past criminal history, is defined by a Cameroonian Sociologist Achille Mbembe as Necropolitics. It interprets the structural violence of police brutality as an isolated case and allows the state to exercise the power of death over specific individuals, and justifies that the victim's life was "disposable" and lacked social or legal worth.

Sai Krishna disappeared after being taken into police custody in Andhra Pradesh. An SIT later found evidence of custodial death, illegal detention and an alleged cover-up.

Sai Krishna's disappearance became a custodial death. What it reveals about police impunity

Protests raged for a fourth straight day across Iran on Tuesday and authorities said five people had been killed during unrest over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody. Her death last week by morality police for "unsuitable attire" unleashed a flood of simmering anger over numerous issues including rights, security and an economy reeling from international sanctions.

Videos of protests are emerging from dozens of towns and cities, ranging from the capital Tehran to conservative strongholds like Mashad. In the city of Kerman Tuesday night, a woman chopped off her hair as crowds, comprising mostly men, cheered her on. It was an act of defiance as there wasn't a single&nbsp;hijab in sight.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/head-of-irans-morality-police-suspended-following-protests-over-death-in-custody-reports-suggest-517917">Head of Iran’s morality police suspended amid protests over death in custody, reports suggest</a>

People can be heard chanting "women, life, freedom", while several others can be seen starting bonfires, and others removing and setting their hijabs on fire.&nbsp;

CNN reported that Tuesday night protests were mostly flash gatherings to avoid a scuffle with Iran's security forces. Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, a Norwegian-registered organization, said that at least five protesters have been shot and killed in the last few days, and over 75 have been injured in other cities.

In an apparent effort to defuse tensions, an aide to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei paid condolences to Amini's family, saying that Khamenei was affected and pained by her death.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kurdish-rights-group-says-five-killed-in-iran-during-protests-over-death-in-custody-517894">Kurdish rights group says five killed in Iran during protests over death in custody</a>

Amini fell into a coma and died while waiting with other women held by the morality police responsible for enforcing strict rules in the Islamic Republic requiring women to cover their hair and wear loose-fitting clothes in public. Her father said she had no health problems and that she suffered bruises to her legs in custody and holds the police responsible for her death.

Meanwhile, four&nbsp;Iranian police officers were injured and one "police assistant" died from injuries on Tuesday in the southern city of Shiraz following violent protests, the official IRNA news agency reported on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Protests raged for a fourth straight day across Iran on Tuesday and authorities said five people had been killed during unrest over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.

Protests raged for a fourth straight day across Iran on Tuesday and authorities said five people had been killed during unrest over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody. Her death last week by morality police for "unsuitable attire" unleashed a flood of simmering anger over numerous issues including rights, security and an economy reeling from international sanctions. Videos of protests are emerging from dozens of towns and cities, ranging from the capital Tehran to conservative strongholds like Mashad. In the city of Kerman Tuesday night, a woman chopped off her hair as crowds, comprising mostly men, cheered her on. It was an act of defiance as there wasn't a single hijab in sight. Also Read | Head of Iran’s morality police suspended amid protests over death in custody, reports suggest People can be heard chanting "women, life, freedom", while several others can be seen starting bonfires, and others removing and setting their hijabs on fire. CNN reported that Tuesday night protests were mostly flash gatherings to avoid a scuffle with Iran's security forces. Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, a Norwegian-registered organization, said that at least five protesters have been shot and killed in the last few days, and over 75 have been injured in other cities. In an apparent effort to defuse tensions, an aide to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei paid condolences to Amini's family, saying that Khamenei was affected and pained by her death. Also Read | Kurdish rights group says five killed in Iran during protests over death in custody Amini fell into a coma and died while waiting with other women held by the morality police responsible for enforcing strict rules in the Islamic Republic requiring women to cover their hair and wear loose-fitting clothes in public. Her father said she had no health problems and that she suffered bruises to her legs in custody and holds the police responsible for her death. Meanwhile, four Iranian police officers were injured and one "police assistant" died from injuries on Tuesday in the southern city of Shiraz following violent protests, the official IRNA news agency reported on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies)

Protests flare across Iran as women cut their hair, burn hijabs to protest Mahsa Amini's custodial death

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Nigeria: 37 suspected illegal miners die in custody; 'overcrowding and inadequate ventilation' under investigation

Sai Krishna custodial death: The disappearance that exposed police impunity

Protests flare across Iran as women cut their hair, burn hijabs to protest Mahsa Amini's custodial death