Nigerian families and survivors seek justice over miners' deaths

Families of 37 artisanal miners who died in custody in Nigeria are demanding swift justice and the return of property seized during their arrests, saying compensation cannot offset their losses. A presidential panel found on Tuesday that the detainees—suspected of illegal mining—died last month while being held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger state due to overcrowding, extreme heat, dehydration and neglect. Nigeria’s government welcomed the findings; Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the report was sent to the attorney-general for immediate judicial action, but gave no timeline on compensation. Protests followed the deaths, including those of teenagers.