The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commenced an investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in its custody in Niger State.
The Niger State Commandant of the corps, Suberu Aniviye, has also been suspended alongside his team to allow for an independent investigation into the incident.
The suspected miners were arrested during enforcement operations carried out by the NSCDC in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.
Their deaths were reportedly discovered in the early hours of Thursday at an NSCDC facility in Minna.
The state command had initially linked the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak. However, the NSCDC headquarters said the cause had not been established and warned against attributing the deaths to any particular disease before the conclusion of medical and laboratory examinations.
In a statement 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, headed by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, would conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The investigation, he said, would examine the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, the period they spent in custody, the conditions under which they were detained and the medical attention provided to them.
“NSCDC has confirmed the death of some suspected illegal miners who were arrested during enforcement operations conducted in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026,” the statement said.
“Following the development, the Commandant General, 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, to immediately look into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
The team is also expected to investigate other factors that may have contributed to the deaths.
Audi directed that the health and welfare of other persons currently in NSCDC custody be prioritised.
He also ordered measures to protect personnel who may have had contact with the affected detainees.
The Corps expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and pledged to thoroughly investigate the incident and take appropriate action based on the findings.
Afolabi said the NSCDC would await the outcome of medical examinations before determining the cause of the deaths.
“The NSCDC wishes to clarify that reports attributing the deaths to any specific disease remain subject to medical and laboratory confirmation. The Corps will therefore refrain from speculation until the outcome of the medical examination is established,” he said.
Bago confirms deaths, sets up inquiry
Meanwhile, Niger State Governor Umar Bago confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners had died in custody.
Bago, who expressed condolences to the families of the victims, said the incident would not be allowed to go uninvestigated.
He disclosed that the state government had constituted a commission of inquiry, which had commenced work.
“This cannot be left like that. The government has immediately set a commission of inquiry and it has started work,” the governor said at a press conference.
Bago said he had met with the Deputy Commandant General of the NSCDC, who was sent to the state following the incident.
According to him, the NSCDC Commandant General was outside the country but had dispatched the Deputy Commandant General to oversee the response.
“The Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, is not in the country but he has sent in the Deputy CG. We had a meeting with him at 9am,” he said.
The governor further disclosed that the Niger State NSCDC commandant and his team had been suspended to ensure that the investigation was conducted without interference.
“The Commandant of NSCDC in Niger with his team has been suspended. This is to allow proper investigation,” Bago said.
The deaths have heightened concerns over the treatment and welfare of suspects held in detention and the medical facilities available to detainees.
The state government and the NSCDC said the ongoing investigations would establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine appropriate next steps.
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