Survivors Describe Ordeal as Investigation Continues Into Deaths of 37 Miners in Niger NSCDC Custody

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has disclosed that 67 suspected illegal miners were detained in a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps facility before 37 of them died in custody.

The governor made the disclosure while addressing journalists in Minna as investigations continued into the deaths, which have triggered public concern, protests and calls for accountability.

The miners were arrested during NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.

According to Governor Bago, the circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation. He said authorities were examining possible explanations, including overcrowding-related suffocation and exposure to harmful substances associated with mining activities.

The governor stressed that the exact cause of death had not yet been established, adding that medical, forensic and biological examinations were being conducted to provide clearer answers.

The deaths occurred after the suspected miners were taken into NSCDC custody following enforcement operations against illegal mining. The NSCDC initially linked the incident to a suspected disease outbreak but later stated that medical and laboratory investigations were required to determine the actual cause.

Survivors of the incident have given accounts suggesting that overcrowding and poor ventilation inside the detention facility may have contributed to the deaths. One survivor, Dauda Shehu, said detainees struggled to breathe and raised alarms before some people died. These claims are part of ongoing investigations and have not yet been established as the official cause of death.

Following the incident, the Federal Government suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the outcome of a full investigation.

The government has also directed relevant agencies to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the conditions of detention, the arrest process and the medical response provided to the detainees.

The incident has generated public anger in Niger State, with protests reported in Minna as residents demanded answers over the deaths. Authorities have urged people to allow investigations to determine the facts.

The deaths have renewed discussions about the enforcement of illegal mining regulations, the treatment of suspects in custody and the need for proper procedures when security agencies detain large numbers of people.

Niger State is one of Nigeria’s mineral-rich states, but authorities have continued to raise concerns over unregulated mining activities, environmental damage and security challenges linked to illegal mining operations.

The outcome of the ongoing investigations is expected to clarify what caused the deaths and whether any individuals or institutions failed in their responsibilities.