At least 37 suspected illegal miners, including minors, have died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, prompting separate investigations by the federal and state governments as well as the police.
The victims were among scores of people arrested during NSCDC operations against suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Minna on September 15 and 16, 2026.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, confirmed that 37 detainees had died and said the state government had constituted a committee of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The government has also ordered forensic examinations and autopsies to establish the cause of death.
The federal government, meanwhile, suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the outcome of an investigation. The suspension was announced by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo following the deaths.
The NSCDC Niger State Command said the detainees were found dead in the early hours of September 17, shortly after the anti-illegal-mining operations.
In an initial statement, Aniviye said the deaths followed a suspected outbreak of disease, but he did not identify the disease or provide a confirmed medical explanation.
The NSCDC national headquarters has since stressed that the cause of death has not been established, saying any claim linking the deaths to a particular disease remains subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.
The bodies were taken to the General Hospital in Minna for medical examination and autopsy.
Survivor Alleges Overcrowding and Extreme Heat
A surviving detainee, Dauda Shehu, told reporters from his hospital bed that the detainees had been held in severely overcrowded conditions.
Shehu alleged that about 66 people were kept in one cell and said detainees repeatedly complained about excessive heat and inadequate access to water.
He also alleged that some detainees became critically ill during the night and that other detainees died the following morning.
His account has not been independently established as the cause of the deaths. The NSCDC investigation is expected to examine the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, the conditions under which they were detained and the medical care provided to them.
The deaths have generated anger among relatives and residents of Minna, with family members gathering at the General Hospital to identify and claim the bodies.
Some relatives alleged that the detainees had been detained under harsh conditions and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding their arrests and detention.
One of the reported victims was a 17-year-old detainee, according to relatives and rights groups. Amnesty International has called for an independent, prompt and transparent investigation into the deaths, including the circumstances of the arrests and the conditions in which the suspects were held.
Protests Erupt in Minna
The incident triggered protests in parts of Minna, with residents and relatives of the deceased taking to the streets to demand answers.
Protests broke out following the deaths, while AP reported that police fired tear gas at protesters who gathered outside an NSCDC facility on Friday. Authorities subsequently appealed for calm as investigations continued.
Police Launch Investigation
The Niger State Police Command has also opened an investigation into the deaths.
The Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna to take charge of the investigation.
Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun appealed to relatives and members of the public with credible information to assist investigators and urged residents to remain calm.
NSCDC Constitutes Investigative Team
At the national level, NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Abubakar Audi directed the immediate establishment of a high-powered investigative team led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation.
According to NSCDC spokesman Babawale Afolabi, the team will examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including:
• The condition of the suspects when they were arrested;
• The period they spent in custody;
• Conditions at the detention facility;
• Medical attention provided to the detainees; and
• Other circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Corps said it would not speculate on the cause of death until medical and laboratory examinations are completed.
Cause of Death Yet to Be Established
Although the Niger State NSCDC command initially referred to a suspected disease outbreak, authorities have not established that a disease caused the deaths.
The state government has ordered autopsies and forensic examinations, while the NSCDC and police are conducting separate investigations.
Until the medical examinations and investigations are concluded, allegations that the detainees died from disease, suffocation, excessive heat or other causes remain unconfirmed.
The deaths have nevertheless raised serious questions about the treatment and conditions of detainees in NSCDC custody, particularly given the number of fatalities within a short period. The outcome of the investigations is expected to determine the circumstances that led to the deaths and whether any individuals or institutions bear responsibility.