At least 37 artisanal miners, including teenagers, have died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, following their arrest during operations against suspected illegal mining.
The miners were arrested on September 15 and 16, 2026, at the Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Housing Estate and Lukoto village, according to the Niger State NSCDC Command. The deaths were reported in the early hours of Thursday, September 17.
Niger State Governor Umaru Bago confirmed the death toll at 37 and said the state NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, had been suspended pending further developments.
The NSCDC initially said the detainees were found dead following a suspected outbreak of disease, but stressed that the specific cause of death had not been medically established.
The Corps said the remains were taken for medical examination to determine the actual cause of the deaths. Its national leadership has also ordered a high-powered investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the condition of the suspects when arrested, their period in custody, detention conditions and medical attention provided.
However, accounts from survivors and relatives have raised questions about the conditions in which the suspects were detained.
One surviving detainee, Dauda Shehu, alleged that a large number of detainees were held in a confined space with inadequate ventilation and excessive heat. He also alleged that detainees experienced difficulty accessing water. These claims have not independently established the cause of the deaths and are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation.
The incident triggered protests in parts of Minna, including Maitumbi, Tudun Natsira, Berger and Tunga, with residents demanding clarification over the deaths.
The Niger State Police Command has separately commenced an investigation. The Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The police appealed to relatives, residents and others with relevant information to cooperate with investigators.
The NSCDC has also urged the public to avoid speculation pending the outcome of medical examinations and investigations. The Corps said the health and welfare of other detainees in its custody had been prioritised and that measures were being taken to protect personnel who may have been exposed to any suspected illness.
The incident remains under investigation, with medical findings and official inquiries expected to establish the circumstances and actual cause of the deaths.
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