Niger Govt Probes Deaths of 37 Suspected Miners
The state government has ordered forensic examinations and autopsies as authorities investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody.
The Niger State Government has constituted a committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The detainees had reportedly been arrested during operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Minna. The deaths were discovered in the early hours of September 17, 2026.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have not yet been conclusively established. The NSCDC initially referred to a suspected disease outbreak, while the Niger State Government said other possibilities, including overcrowding and exposure to hazardous substances associated with mining activities, were being considered. Governor Mohammed Bago said medical, forensic and biological experts had been deployed to collect evidence and determine what happened.
According to the governor, 67 suspected artisanal and illegal miners had reportedly been detained in an NSCDC facility before 37 were found dead. Authorities have ordered autopsies and other examinations to establish the precise cause of death. The identities and individual circumstances of the deceased are also expected to form part of the investigation.
The incident has prompted investigations by multiple authorities. The Niger State Police Command ordered its own investigation, while the Federal Government subsequently suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant and other officers connected with the detention facility. President Bola Tinubu also directed a comprehensive and transparent investigation, saying that anyone whose actions or negligence contributed to the deaths should face appropriate legal consequences.
The Federal Government has since constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths. The committee has been directed to establish the identities of the deceased, examine their arrests and detention conditions, determine the cause and circumstances of the deaths, and identify any responsibility, negligence or misconduct. It has been given two weeks to submit its report.
