The Governor of Niger State in central Nigeria, Mohammed Omar Bagu, today, Friday, confirmed the death of 37 people suspected of illegal mining while in the custody of the local Civil Defense Authority, declared official mourning for three days and postponed the start of the campaign for the presidential and legislative elections scheduled for next January.

The governor of the state, Muhammad Omar Bagu, said during a press conference held in the capital of the state: "We woke up this morning to the news of the death of about 37 people while they were in the custody of the civil defense here in Mina," and added: "It's very sad, it's a tragedy."

Bago announced the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the resulting deaths, according to an intelligence report on "overcrowding and poor ventilation in the detention center", after a similar announcement by the police about opening an investigation.