By Daily Review Online
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has launched an investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations in Niger State.
The suspects were apprehended during coordinated operations conducted by the Niger State Command around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis on September 15 and 16, 2026, as part of efforts to tackle illegal mining activities.
Reports had indicated that at least 33 of the suspects died while being held at an NSCDC facility in Minna. However, the NSCDC National Headquarters said the exact number of fatalities and the cause of death were still being established.
The deaths were reportedly discovered in the early hours of Thursday, with Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, initially attributing them to a suspected disease outbreak.
However, the Corps said any claim linking the deaths to a particular disease remained unconfirmed pending medical and laboratory examinations.
In a statement on Thursday, NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said the Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had ordered the immediate constitution of a high-powered investigative team.
The team, headed by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
According to Afolabi, the investigation will cover the physical condition of the suspects when they were arrested, the period they spent in custody, detention conditions, medical care provided to them and other circumstances that may have contributed to the deaths.
The statement said, “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.”
Audi also directed that the health and welfare of all persons still in custody be given priority, while measures are taken to protect NSCDC personnel who may have come into contact with the affected detainees.
The Corps expressed condolences to the families of those who died and assured them that the circumstances surrounding the incident would be thoroughly investigated and addressed based on established facts.
Afolabi reiterated that the NSCDC would not speculate on the cause of death until the outcome of medical examinations was available.