The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has launched an investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners who were arrested during enforcement operations in Niger State.
The suspects were apprehended during coordinated operations carried out by the Niger State Command in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis on September 15 and 16, 2026, as part of efforts to tackle illegal mining activities in the state.
The investigation followed reports that at least 33 suspected illegal miners had died while being held at an NSCDC facility in Minna.
The deaths were reportedly discovered early Thursday, with the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, initially linking them to a suspected disease outbreak.
However, the NSCDC National Headquarters said the exact cause of the deaths had not been established, stressing that claims linking the incident to a particular disease would require medical and laboratory confirmation.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said the Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had ordered a high-powered investigation into the incident.
Afolabi said the investigative team would be headed by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation and would examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The inquiry will cover the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, the duration of their detention, the conditions under which they were held and the medical care they received while in custody.
The statement said the team had been directed to conduct a comprehensive investigation and establish the facts surrounding the deaths.
Audi also directed the relevant authorities to give priority to the health and welfare of other persons still in NSCDC custody.
He further ordered measures to protect NSCDC personnel who may have come into contact with the affected detainees.
The Corps expressed sympathy to the families of those who died and assured them that the circumstances surrounding the incident would be thoroughly investigated.
The NSCDC also cautioned against speculation over the cause of the deaths, saying conclusions would only be made after the relevant medical examinations and laboratory tests had been completed.
Afolabi said, “The NSCDC wishes to clarify that reports attributing the deaths to any specific disease remain subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.”
He added that the Corps would refrain from making conclusions until the outcome of the medical examination was established.
The incident has drawn attention to the treatment and welfare of persons held in custody, with the ongoing investigation expected to establish what led to the deaths and whether any lapses occurred during the suspects’ arrest, detention or treatment.
