37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die in Nigerian NSCDC Custody

At least 37 suspected illegal miners died in custody of Nigeria's NSCDC in Niger State after arrests for illegal mining, prompting investigations into possible overcrowding, poor ventilation and disease.

Mass Deaths in NSCDC Custody

The miners were arrested on September 15 and 16, 2026 during NSCDC operations in Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Housing Estate and Lukoto village in Niger State. [4] Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed that 37 persons died in the incident and described it as sad and tragic. [3] The state commandant of NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, had been placed on suspension. [4] The governor declared three days of mourning, set up a committee of inquiry and postponed election campaigning. [3] Bodies were taken to Minna General Hospital for examination. [4]

Survivor Accounts of Overcrowding and Heat

Survivors reported 65-66 detainees packed into one poorly ventilated cell with excessive heat, no water access leading some to drink urine, and banging on doors for help. [4] Dauda Shehu, one of the survivors, told the Associated Press that 65 detainees were packed into a poorly ventilated cell. [3] He said the detainees tried to get the guards' attention by banging on the cell door. [3] Another survivor from the hospital bed alleged that the victims died due to excessive heat and overcrowding, adding that 66 of them were put in one cell and that they drank urine because they could not access water due to heat. [4] Some people died in the night while others died in the morning on Thursday. [4]

Investigations Launched

NSCDC and police have launched separate investigations; the NSCDC commandant in Niger State has been suspended and a high-powered national team formed. [4] The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has commenced an investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners arrested during operations in Niger State on September 15 and 16. [1] The Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has directed the constitution of a high-powered investigative team led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation. [4] The team has been mandated to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the deaths, including the condition of the suspects upon arrest, their period in custody, the conditions of detention, medical attention provided, and other relevant circumstances surrounding the incident. [4] The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, has ordered the immediate commencement of an investigation. [4]

Local Reaction and Mourning

Bodies were taken to Minna General Hospital for examination; some released to families amid protests in parts of Minna. [4] The incident triggered a protest by residents of Maitumbi, Tudun Natsira, Berger and parts of Tunga in Minna. [4] The protesters blocked the road at Flamingo Junction, Maitumbi, disrupting traffic in the area. [4] Parents and relatives of the deceased, who gathered at the mortuary to collect the bodies of their loved ones, could not hold back their tears. [4] The bodies were reportedly laid on the floor of the mortuary. [4] A bereaved father, Mallam Abdullahi, said he had gone to the Civil Defence headquarters in Minna to plead for the release of his son but was asked to pay N500,000 for bail. [4] Another resident, Babawo Tudun-Natsira, said his 17-year-old younger brother, Salim, was among those who died. [4]

Related Terrorism Trial Testimony

Separately, a survivor testified in court about the 2025-2026 Ansaru-linked kidnapping of Oyo schoolchildren and teachers involving beheadings and extreme deprivation. [2] A survivor of the May 15, 2026 abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State told the Federal High Court in Abuja how the victims spent 56 days in captivity battling hunger, thirst, exposure and brutal treatment. [2] The witness, identified only as “AAA” to protect her identity, said the victims were moved through six different locations in the bush, often barefoot, sleeping on grass and exposed to heavy rain and the scorching sun. [2] She said some of the victims were children as young as one-and-a-half years, who endured the same conditions as the adults throughout their captivity. [2] The witness said two teachers, Deacon John Olaleye and Michael Oyedokun, were brought out and beheaded after the abductors accused the government of failing to take their demands seriously. [2] She added that water was so scarce that about four victims were sometimes given only one cup of water to share and that their food was initially rice mixed with salt and palm oil, but after the salt was exhausted, they ate rice with palm oil until that too ran out. [2]

Other Crime and Political Developments

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps launches a probe into the deaths of suspected illegal miners in its detention facility in Niger State. [1] President Bola Tinubu is set to intervene in the growing face-off between All Progressives Congress governors and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike ahead of the 2027 elections. [1] The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement unveiled a 59-member Presidential Campaign Council with zonal and state coordinators plus directors for mobilisation, women affairs, strategy, security and other key areas ahead of the 2027 elections. [1] South African police recovered the body of a ninth woman east of Johannesburg, as a string of deaths raised concern. [1] The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg issued a safety advisory urging heightened vigilance, particularly for women and girls in affected areas of Ekurhuleni. [1]

What to watch next: The NSCDC high-powered investigative team will continue its probe into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including conditions of detention and medical attention provided, while the state police investigation proceeds and the governor's committee of inquiry works.