At least 33 illegal mining suspects found dead in Nigerian custody, and officials say they suspect a disease outbreak

At least 33 suspects arrested for alleged illegal mining were found dead on Thursday while in Nigerian security custody in Abuja, Nigeria. Officials stated they suspect a disease outbreak was responsible for the fatalities.

The incident highlights ongoing issues surrounding illegal mining operations and conditions within security custody in the region. Authorities are pointing to health-related causes as the preliminary explanation for the mass casualties among the detainees.