.… Blood, Foam in Mouths of 37 Dead Miners as Gov Bago Gives Update
Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has given fresh details on the deaths of 37 suspected miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
Addressing journalists on Friday, Bago said victims were found with blood and foam in their mouths, suggesting possible poisoning or suffocation.
He disclosed that some bodies had burns and that samples had been taken before burial for investigation.
According to him, investigators are probing possible suffocation from overcrowding in the detention cell and exposure to hazardous chemicals linked to illegal mining.
“We just woke up to the news of the deaths; we don’t know what happened. Some of the victims were found with foam or blood in their mouths, which could indicate poisoning or suffocation. We are not sure,” Bago said.
The incident had earlier triggered youth protests in Minna, prompting the state government to impose a 24-hour curfew to prevent breakdown of law and order.
