Nigeria's government suspended a civil defence commander as President Bola Tinubu ordered a "thorough", "urgent and "full and transparent investigation" over Thursday's deaths.

The Federal Government has expressed sorrow regarding the tragic loss of life that occurred following the incident involving individuals apprehended

The governor of a central Nigerian state said 37 people suspected of being illegal miners died while in the custody of the west African country's civil defence corps.

Thirty-three suspects arrested over alleged illegal mining died in NSCDC custody in Niger state. The deaths have triggered an investigation as officials cite disease and a survivor alleges suffocation.

The Niger State Police Command has commenced investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the