Fatal Custody Scandal: Tinubu Orders Probe as 37 Miners Found Dead in NSCDC Custody

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. The President directed that any officials found culpable in the deaths be arrested and prosecuted, underscoring that the life of every Nigerian matters and no citizen should die in government custody due to negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment, or dereliction of duty. His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, issued a statement on Friday, September 18, emphasizing the need for accountability.

The tragic incident unfolded following the arrest of the illegal miners between September 15 and 16, 2026. On the morning of September 17, thirty-seven of the detained individuals were found dead in their cell. While the Niger State Commandant, Comdt. Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, initially stated that the victims died following a disease outbreak in the cell, family members and survivors are demanding answers, questioning how a disease could lead to such mass deaths within 24 hours. The corpses have been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for further medical examination.

Heartbreaking video footage showed family members discovering the unconscious bodies of their loved ones, many of whom appeared young, some as teenagers, and some with foam around their mouths. Nigerians on social media have expressed widespread outrage, demanding transparency and justice regarding the circumstances of the deaths.

Survivors who were detained in the same facility recounted a harrowing experience. They narrated how the deceased gasped for air and desperately banged on the cell doors, but NSCDC personnel on duty remained unresponsive. Dauda Shehu, one of the survivors, revealed that they resorted to extreme measures, including drinking their own urine, in a desperate attempt to survive the intense heat and lack of water in the severely overcrowded cell. He stated that 66 individuals were confined to a single cell, which was far too small to accommodate them, leading to extreme discomfort and eventually, fatalities.

Shehu also provided context regarding their arrest, explaining that trouble began when community leaders in Lokoto, Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, demanded N150,000 for each mining pit. Many young miners were unable to pay this amount, leading to their detention. The survivors explicitly stated that they were not tortured but suffered immensely due to the excessive heat and lack of ventilation, watching their colleagues succumb one after another, with some dying during the night and others on Thursday morning.

President Tinubu stressed that while the Federal Government would continue to combat illegal mining, enforcement operations must comply with the law and respect the rights of those in custody. He firmly stated that the fact of being suspected of illegal mining does not negate their right to life, dignity, and humane treatment. The President's directive for investigation covers the circumstances of the arrests, the condition of the detainees upon arrival, the conditions of their detention, the total number of people held, the medical attention provided, and the specific events leading to their deaths. He further warned that the suspension of officers is merely an administrative step and must not be a substitute for determining criminal responsibility. The Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership have been instructed to cooperate fully with investigative authorities to ensure no officer interferes with the process or obstructs the truth.