The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has launched an investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations in Niger State.
The suspects were arrested 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 in the state.
The investigation followed reports that at least 33 suspected illegal miners died after being detained at an NSCDC facility in Minna.
The deaths were discovered in the early hours of Thursday.
The Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, had attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak.
However, the NSCDC National Headquarters said the cause of the deaths had not been established.
The Corps said claims linking the deaths to any particular disease would have to be confirmed through medical and laboratory examinations.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NSCDC 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 what led to the deaths.
The team will be headed by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation.
According to Afolabi, the panel will conduct a comprehensive investigation covering several aspects of the incident.
These include 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 they received.
The investigation will also examine other circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The NSCDC said, “The team has been mandated to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the deaths, including the condition of the suspects upon arrest, their period in custody, the conditions of detention, medical attention provided, and other relevant circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Audi also directed that the health and welfare of all persons still in NSCDC custody should be given priority.
The Corps said steps were also being taken to protect personnel who may have come into contact with the affected detainees.
The NSCDC expressed condolences to the families of those who died and promised that the circumstances surrounding the incident would be investigated and addressed based on established facts.
Afolabi stressed that the Corps would not speculate on the cause of the deaths until the medical examinations were completed.
“The Corps wishes to clarify that reports attributing the deaths to any specific disease remain subject to medical and laboratory confirmation,” he said.
The development has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the detainees, particularly their condition while in custody.
The NSCDC said the investigation would provide clarity on what happened and guide further action based on its findings.
