Niger State Miners Tragedy: Deadly Custody Deaths Spark Curfew, Suspension of NSCDC Commandant
At least 37 suspected illegal miners died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State, sparking outrage and official inquiries. Survivors reported overcrowding, excessive heat, and lack of aid, leading to the suspension of the state commandant and a thorough investigation by federal and state authorities. Governor Bago has imposed a curfew and banned mining in response to the tragic incident.
A tragic incident in Niger State, Nigeria, has led to the deaths of at least 37 suspected illegal miners while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The miners were arrested during a "burst operation" conducted between September 15 and 16, 2026, targeting illegal mining activities in areas like the Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Housing Estate and Lukoto village in Minna. However, by the early hours of September 17, 2026, scores of the detained suspects were found dead.
Initially, Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Comdt. Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, issued a statement attributing the deaths to a suspected outbreak of disease in the cell. He confirmed that the bodies had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to determine the actual cause of death, while appealing for calm from the public and families of the deceased.
The incident quickly drew high-level intervention. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered the immediate suspension of Commandant Aniviye and called for a full investigation into the circumstances. He stressed the government's commitment to the security of lives and promised a transparent investigation. Similarly, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, assured the public of a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation, vowing that anyone found culpable would not be shielded.
Harrowing testimonies from survivors painted a grim picture of their detention. Witnesses like Dauda Shehu and Aminu Sale recounted being crammed, 66 people, into a single, overcrowded cell, leading to excessive heat, suffocation, and dehydration. They described desperate attempts to survive, including drinking their own urine, and claimed that NSCDC personnel were unresponsive to their pleas for help as their colleagues succumbed. Many of the deceased were reportedly internally displaced persons (IDPs) from areas like Allawa, and some were unable to pay the N150,000 fee demanded by community leaders for mining pits.
The victims were predominantly young, with some as young as 14 to 18 years old. Grieving parents and relatives gathered at the Minna General Hospital mortuary, demanding the release of the bodies for burial. Some alleged that they were asked to pay exorbitant bail fees, up to N500,000, for their sons who were later found dead. Mallam Abdullahi, a bereaved father, recounted discovering his son's lifeless body after attempting to bring him food and secure his release.
The tragic deaths sparked protests by residents in parts of Minna, leading to the blocking of roads and destruction of public and private assets, including state transport company buses and APC offices. In response, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed the 37 deaths and imposed a 12-hour curfew (6 pm to 6 am) in Minna to restore order. He also announced a ban on all mining activities in the state, expressing concern over possible causes like suffocation, dehydration, or even