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37 Miners Die in Civil Defence Custody: Probe Launched
18 Sep
Summary
- Thirty-seven suspected illegal miners died in civil defence custody.
- Authorities are investigating whether disease or overcrowding caused the deaths.
- The governor declared three days of mourning and postponed elections.
Thirty-seven individuals suspected of illegal mining operations died in custody early on September 17, 2026, in Niger State, Nigeria. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed the fatalities, attributing the deaths to an incident within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) detention facility in Minna. He has since established a committee of inquiry and declared three days of mourning for the state, postponing election campaign activities scheduled for January.
The NSCDC stated that the detainees were apprehended on September 16 and 17, 2026, and that the deaths followed a suspected disease outbreak among them. However, preliminary information from an intelligence report suggests that overcrowding and inadequate ventilation within the detention facility might be the actual cause of the mass deaths. This revelation has sparked protests in Minna, with reports of damaged property.
Niger State is known for its rich mineral deposits, attracting thousands of artisanal miners. The scramble for resources also fuels violence by criminal gangs who extort miners. Gold from these illegal operations is often smuggled to the UAE and then laundered globally. Beyond gold, the state also possesses significant deposits of tantalite, copper, and lithium.
