Probe begins as 40 miners die in NSCDC detention

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has commenced an investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners who died while in its custody in Niger State. Punch reports that the victims were arrested during enforcement 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 in the state. The deaths were discovered at an NSCDC facility in Minna in the early hours of Thursday, with reports putting the number of fatalities at about 40. However, the NSCDC has cautioned against drawing conclusions about the cause of the deaths. The Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, had attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but the Corps’ national headquarters said the actual cause had not been established. According to the NSCDC, claims linking the deaths to a particular disease remain subject to medical and laboratory confirmation. Following the incident, NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Abubakar Audi directed the formation of a high-powered investigative team to establish what happened. The team, led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, was mandated to examine several aspects of the incident, including the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, their period in custody, the conditions under which they were detained and the medical attention they received. The Corps also directed that the health and welfare of other people still in custody be prioritised, while measures were put in place to protect personnel who may have come into contact with those affected. Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered a full investigation into the incident and suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, pending the outcome of the probe. The minister described the incident as unfortunate and called for calm to allow the investigation to proceed transparently. He also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. The NSCDC said the investigation would determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and that any personnel found to have acted contrary to the law or established professional standards could face appropriate sanctions. The Corps also extended condolences to the families of the deceased, assuring them that the circumstances surrounding the incident would be thoroughly investigated and addressed based on established facts. The cause of the deaths remains subject to medical examination and the outcome of the ongoing investigation.