Horror, Nigeria Shakes As 33 Miners Die In Civil Defence NSCDC Detention
Protests have broken out after some 33 suspected illegal miners arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in Niger State, reportedly died in detention following a suspected disease outbreak, although other reports blamed overcrowded cells.
Protests were reported to have broken out on Thursday evening in Minna, the state capital, with police responding by firing tear gas.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, immediately ordered the suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye.
Governor Umar Bago of Niger State immediately called off a political rally slated for Saturday in Minna, the capital of the state, over the deaths.
The region is known for small-scale illegal gold mining.
NSCDC COMMANDANT SUSPENDED
The Minister declared via a statement released by his media aide, Babatunde Alao: “It is an unfortunate incident, however, a full investigation will be conducted while the Commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended.
“We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this.”
Tunji-Ojo urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding to allow a transparent investigation process.
He further commiserated with Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State and the families and relatives of the deceased.
GOVERNOR BAGO CANCELS RALLY, DECLARES 3 DAYS MOURNING
A statement on Thursday by Bologi Ibrahim, the spokesperson for the governor, said three days of mourning had been declared for the victims who died in NSCDC custody.
He said the cancellation of the event followed an incident in which 37 people lost their lives in NSCDC custody.
The Governor commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives and declared a three-day mourning period in their honour.
NSCDC OFFICIAL STORY
Prior to his suspension, the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Aniviye, disclosed news of the deaths in a statement issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The deceased were reportedly among scores of suspected illegal miners arrested during an operation conducted by the command on September 15 and 16 at M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto village in the state.
Aniviye said the operation was part of the command’s renewed efforts to tackle illegal mining activities in Niger State.
He said the operation resulted in the arrest of scores of suspected illegal miners and the recovery of various exhibits.
However, the Commandant said the security agency discovered in the early hours of Thursday that scores of the detained suspects had died.
The NSCDC said the deaths were suspected to be linked to a disease outbreak, although the actual cause had yet to be established.
The corpses of the deceased have been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for further medical examination and investigation to determine the precise cause of death.
The NSCDC said it was working with other security agencies and relevant authorities to manage the situation.
The command also appealed to members of the public and relatives of the deceased to remain calm and avoid actions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
The NSCDC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the lives and rights of persons in its custody, saying it would continue to uphold human rights and applicable international human rights charters while carrying out its mandate.
POLICE INVESTIGATES DEATHS
Nigerian police have launched an investigation into the deaths of 37 people who were in custody after being arrested for illegal mining.
Officials on Thursday linked the deaths to an outbreak of disease.
OVERCROWDING THEORY
However, the AFP news agency said that an intelligence report suggested that overcrowding and poor ventilation inside the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) detention facility in the northeastern Niger State may have been to blame.
Survivor Dauda Shehu told The Associated Press news agency that 65 detainees were packed into a poorly ventilated cell, suggesting they may have suffocated.
“We were jam-packed and there was no ventilation for us to breathe well,” Shehu said. “All of a sudden, we realised that we could not breathe and we started scrambling to get fresh air.”
Speaking at the Minna General Hospital, where the bodies were sent for examination, Shehu said the detainees tried to get the attention of the security agency’s guards by banging on the cell door.
Investigators have urged relatives of the victims to come forward with any information that could help.
