67 miners crowded into NSCDC cell before 37 died – Niger gov

Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago revealed that 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners were held in an NSCDC cell before 37 of them perished in custody. The unfortunate incident unfolded during NSCDC operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto regions of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026. Initially, the NSCDC had indicated the deaths were likely due to a suspected disease outbreak.

However, investigations soon revealed the true cause remained undetermined, prompting medical and laboratory tests to establish the facts.

Bago disclosed these details during a press conference in Minna, where he emphasized the possibility of suffocation resulting from overcrowding and exposure to hazardous substances linked to mining activities. He highlighted that both the medical, forensic, and biological teams had been dispatched to gather samples to aid the ongoing investigation. Blaming the deaths on overcrowding, Bago stressed the need for autopsies and further examinations to ascertain the exact cause of the miners' demise.

The governor underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that the loss of 37 lives was not a trivial matter. He called for expedited autopsies and examinations to identify the exact cause of death. In addition, he proposed experts investigate the possibility of radiological exposure at the site. In the meantime, the NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, has been suspended, and a thorough investigation launched by the Federal Government.