Nigerian police have launched an investigation after 37 people detained on suspicion of illegal mining died while in custody, authorities and a survivor said. Officials blamed a disease outbreak for the deaths, but the account from at least one person who survived the incident contradicts that explanation.
Official account
Police officials say the deaths were caused by an outbreak of disease among the detainees. In a statement, authorities described the incident as a health emergency that affected a large number of those being held, prompting medical intervention and the opening of an internal inquiry to establish what happened and whether procedures were followed.
Survivor's allegation
A survivor who was released described a different scenario, saying those who died had suffocated. The survivor's claim raises questions about the circumstances of the detention and the conditions in which the suspects were being held. The allegation has not been independently verified.
Conflicting versions and the ongoing inquiry
The conflicting accounts have prompted the police investigation, which officials say aims to determine the cause of death and whether any misconduct occurred. Authorities have not yet provided additional details about forensic examinations, autopsies or whether other agencies will be involved in the probe.
Local and national officials have not released further information about the identities of the victims, the location of the detention facility, or the timing of the deaths. The inquiry is continuing as investigators seek to reconcile the differing accounts and conclude what happened while the suspects were in custody.