37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die in NSCDC Custody in Niger State
At least 37 suspected illegal miners have died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, prompting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The victims were among scores of suspects arrested during NSCDC operations targeting illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.
The NSCDC Niger State Command said the suspects were detained following the operations, which also led to the recovery of various exhibits.
However, in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, scores of the detained suspects were found dead.
The state command initially said the deaths followed a suspected outbreak of disease and that the bodies had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to determine the actual cause of death.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago subsequently confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners had died while in NSCDC custody.
The governor declared three days of mourning in the state in honour of the victims and expressed condolences to their families. The state government also postponed a planned political campaign flag-off in Minna following the incident.
The NSCDC national headquarters has since ordered a high-powered investigation into the deaths.
According to the Corps, the investigative team will examine the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, the period they spent in custody, the conditions in which they were detained and the medical attention provided to them.
The remains have been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination and determination of the actual cause of death.
The NSCDC has also cautioned against speculation, stressing that reports attributing the deaths to any specific disease have not been medically or scientifically confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that a survivor, Dauda Shehu, said 65 detainees had been held in an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell. Shehu said detainees struggled to breathe and tried to alert guards when they began experiencing difficulties.
His account has not established the cause of the deaths, which remains subject to the ongoing medical examination and investigation.
Police in Niger State have also commenced an investigation and appealed to relatives of the victims to provide information that could assist authorities in establishing what happened.
The incident has raised concerns over the welfare and conditions of people held in custody, while authorities have called for calm as investigations continue.
The NSCDC said it would work with relevant health authorities and sister security agencies to manage the situation and ensure that the health and welfare of other people currently in custody are given priority.
