Illegal miners, including teenagers, women and adult workers, have returned to a mining site in Niger State days after 37 suspected illegal miners died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The miners were seen working at the M.I. Wushishi mining site in Minna, using shovels, picks and other hand tools to search for gold.
The return followed an NSCDC operation on September 15 and 16 around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate, during which several suspected illegal miners were arrested.
The NSCDC had said 37 detainees died in custody following what it described as a suspected outbreak of disease. The incident led to the suspension of the Niger State commandant, Suberu Aniviye.
Although some miners stopped going to the site after the arrests and deaths, others returned, saying mining remained their main source of income.
A visit to the site showed that there was no visible security presence. Miners were seen digging into the exposed earth, gathering soil into sacks and pans, while some used a nearby stream to separate materials.
One of the miners, Salisu DanMallam, said he stayed away from the site for two days after the NSCDC raid because he was afraid of another operation.
He said the absence from work affected his livelihood because there were few other profitable jobs available to him.
Inside Niger state:
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DanMallam, who said he had worked as a miner in the area for more than 15 years, added that miners had developed close relationships and regarded one another as family.
Another miner, 26-year-old Buhari Rabiu, said he and others left the site after receiving information that NSCDC officers were approaching.
Rabiu alleged that he had previously been arrested and assaulted during a raid on suspected illegal miners. He said he sustained injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment before being released after his relatives intervened.
He also alleged that ₦120,000 was collected as bail during the previous incident and claimed that one of his friends was shot during an encounter with NSCDC officers.
The miners have continued working despite the recent deaths and arrests, with many saying they depend on the mining activities to survive.
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