Nigeria: 37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die in Custody
[Daily Trust] At least 37 artisanal miners, including teenagers, have died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
At least 37 miners, including children, have perished while in police custody in Minna, Niger State. The victims were apprehended on September 15-16, 2026, by security forces for allegedly operating illegal mines. Some of the deceased were displaced persons from Shiroro Local Government Area. Niger State Governor Umaru Bago announced that the NSCDC's Suberu Siyaka Aniviye had been suspended following the tragic incident.
Initially, Aniviye claimed the suspects died due to a disease outbreak, but this claim was disputed by relatives and residents who estimated the death toll at 37. The NSCDC's Minna Command conducted a sweep operation targeting illegal mining activities in the region, resulting in the arrest of numerous suspects and the seizure of evidence.
However, in the early hours of September 17, 2026, several detained miners were found dead, prompting an investigation by the NSCDC. The bodies were sent to Minna General Hospital for further examination to determine the cause of death. The hospital refused to accept the bodies, and residents gathered to claim the remains. One miner, Dauda Shehu, alleged that the victims died due to excessive heat and overcrowding in their detention cell.
The NSCDC has launched an investigation into the incident, with a team of investigators tasked to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths.
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