The Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday ordered a probe into the death of suspected illegal miners arrested during one of its operations after confirming their deaths.

Following the development, the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has directed the constitution of a high-powered investigative team, led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The suspects, whom unconfirmed reports put at 33, were arrested during a “burst operation” conducted by the command at M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto Village on September 15 and 16, as part of efforts to curb illegal mining activities in the state.

In a statement yesterday, the State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, said the operation led to the arrest of “scores of suspected illegal miners” and the recovery of various exhibits.

The command said some of the detained suspects were found dead early yesterday following what it described as a suspected outbreak of disease.

According to the statement, “the corpses of the deceased suspects have since been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for further medical examination to establish the actual cause of death.”

The NSCDC said it was working with sister security agencies to manage the situation and determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The investigative team has been mandated to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the deaths, including the condition of the suspects upon arrest, their period in custody, the conditions of detention, medical attention provided, and other relevant circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The NSCDC wishes to clarify that reports attributing the deaths to any specific disease remain subject to medical and laboratory confirmation. The Corps will therefore refrain from speculation until the outcome of the medical examination is established”, a statement from the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant of Corps, Babawale Afolabi, noted.