Thirty-seven suspected illegal miners have died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State, barely two days after they were arrested during an anti-illegal mining operation.
The suspects were among scores arrested at mining sites in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas on September 15 and 16, 2026. Their deaths were discovered in the early hours of Thursday, September 17.
The Niger NSCDC Command initially suspected a disease outbreak but said the cause of the deaths had not been established. The bodies were deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed the death toll and set up a committee, headed by his deputy, Yakubu Garba, to investigate the incident. Autopsies and forensic examinations were also ordered.
The Niger State Police Command separately commenced an investigation into the deaths.
On Friday, September 18, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ordered a full investigation and suspended the Niger NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the outcome of the probe.
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NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Abubakar Audi directed Aniviye to report to the corps’ headquarters in Abuja before the investigative panel.
Senior officers overseeing Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation in the state command were also summoned, while a new commandant was assigned to the state.
The NSCDC said the panel would examine the detainees’ condition on arrest, their detention conditions, medical care and other circumstances surrounding the deaths.
It cautioned that no specific disease should be blamed until medical and laboratory tests establish the cause.
Meanwhile, Bago declared three days of mourning and cancelled the APC rally scheduled for Saturday, September 19, in Minna.
Authorities have appealed for calm as the investigations and medical examinations continue.