The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has launched an investigation into the deaths of some suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations in Niger State.
The suspects were taken into custody during coordinated operations carried out by the Niger State Command in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis on 15 and 16 September 2026 as part of efforts to tackle illegal mining in the state.
The investigation follows reports that at least 33 suspected illegal miners were feared to have died after being detained at an NSCDC facility in Minna.
The deaths were reportedly discovered in the early hours of Thursday, with the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, initially attributing them to a suspected disease outbreak.
However, the NSCDC national headquarters said the cause of the deaths had not been established and that reports linking them to a particular disease remained subject to 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 the formation of a high-powered investigative team to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The team, headed by the Deputy Commandant General responsible for Intelligence and Investigation, has been directed to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the deaths.
Afolabi said investigators would examine the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, their time in custody, the conditions under which they were detained, the medical care provided and other circumstances relevant to the incident.
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 15 and 16 September 2026.
“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.”
According to the Corps, the team would establish the circumstances that led to the deaths, including the condition of the suspects upon arrest, their period in custody, detention conditions and medical attention received.
Audi also directed the Corps to prioritise the health and welfare of all persons currently in custody while putting measures in place to protect personnel who may have come into contact with the affected suspects.
The NSCDC expressed condolences to the families of those who died and assured them that the circumstances surrounding the incident would be investigated and addressed based on established facts.
Afolabi reiterated that the reported link between the deaths and any particular disease had not been medically established.
“The NSCDC wishes to clarify that reports attributing the deaths to any specific disease remain subject to medical and laboratory confirmation,” he said.
“The Corps will therefore refrain from speculation until the outcome of the medical examination is established.”
The Corps said it would provide further information based on the findings of the investigation and relevant medical examinations.
