37 Die in NSCDC Custody: Minna Erupts as Questions Mount Over Detention Tragedy

What started as an operation against suspected illegal mining has escalated into a major national controversy after 37 detainees died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. This tragic event has sparked protests, investigations, and growing demands for a clear explanation of what transpired.

The deceased were among numerous individuals arrested on September 15 and 16, 2026, during NSCDC raids targeting suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto area of Niger State. The security agency claimed the operation aimed to curb unauthorized mining activities and that they recovered several exhibits.

By the early hours of Thursday, September 17, however, the situation took a fatal turn. Reports confirmed that 37 of those detained had died while still in NSCDC custody.

The exact circumstances surrounding their deaths are still under investigation, with various accounts emerging.

Initially, the NSCDC suggested a possible disease outbreak but later admitted that the precise cause remained unclear pending medical examinations. Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago stated investigators are exploring multiple possibilities, including suffocation due to overcrowding and exposure to hazardous substances linked to mining.

A surviving detainee, Dauda Shehu, offered a different perspective. He told the Associated Press that around 65 people were crammed into a poorly ventilated cell. According to him, detainees struggled to breathe and tried to get the guards’ attention by banging on the cell door. His account, however, has not yet been definitively linked to the cause of death.

The tragedy has also brought to light concerns about the conditions inside the detention facility. Shafa’atu Suleiman, whose son was among the deceased, told Reuters that relatives were barred from bringing in food and accused officials of demanding ₦100,000 for detainee releases. Reuters reported that NSCDC officials declined to comment on these allegations.

Anger quickly spilled onto the streets of Minna.

Hundreds of protesters, including miners and family members of the deceased, took to the streets demanding answers. Police used tear gas during the protests on Friday, and a Reuters eyewitness reported seeing security forces fire live rounds as clashes intensified. Some protesters carried sticks, machetes, and traditional hunting rifles, while others even tried to set fire to government buildings in the Tunga area.

During the unrest, at least one body was seen on the street, according to Reuters, while soldiers and police were deployed across Minna to restore order.

In response, the Federal Government ordered the immediate suspension of Niger State’s NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending investigation results.

Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo called the deaths an unfortunate incident and assured that a thorough investigation was underway. Information Minister Mohammed Idris also stated that anyone found responsible would be held accountable, warning against drawing conclusions before the investigations were complete.

Governor Bago announced three days of mourning and set up a state inquiry committee led by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba. Police, the NSCDC, and the Department of State Services are also looking into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Behind the immediate tragedy lies a broader issue: Nigeria’s informal mining industry.

Niger State and surrounding regions in North-Central and North-West Nigeria are rich in gold and other minerals. Thousands depend on artisanal mining for their livelihoods, often operating outside formal licensing and regulatory frameworks.

Authorities have linked unregulated mining to environmental damage, loss of revenue, and criminal networks involved in activities like kidnapping. Analysts warn that illicit mining profits can fund armed groups engaging in criminal activities.

Niger State officials say illegal mining has damaged farmland and residential areas. Governor Bago has ordered the closure of affected mining sites, citing a lack of proper technology and safety measures.

However, these concerns are separate from the pressing question facing investigators: how did 37 people, alive when taken into custody, end up dead within days?

This question remains unresolved, as reports suggest possible causes ranging from disease and overcrowding to suffocation and exposure to dangerous chemicals used in mining. Survivors have specifically described severe congestion and poor ventilation conditions.

Adding to the complications is the handling of the bodies. Reuters reported that victims were buried late Thursday according to Islamic tradition, which could hinder further forensic examinations. Other official accounts indicated that autopsies and forensic tests were still being arranged. Clarifying what examinations were performed before burial will be crucial in uncovering the truth.

Amnesty International Nigeria has called for a prompt, independent, impartial, and transparent investigation, emphasizing that the inquiry should scrutinize both the arrests and the conditions of detention. The organization also pointed out that some of the victims were minors.

For the families affected, the issue goes beyond Nigeria’s fight against illegal mining. They want to understand what transpired between the arrests on September 15 and 16 and the discovery of the deaths on September 17.

Until medical reports and investigations are completed, the exact cause of the 37 deaths will remain unclear. What is certain is that they died while in state custody, and it is now up to the authorities to give a credible account of how it happened.