Thirty-seven suspected illegal miners die in Nigerian custody

On Thursday, September 17, 2026, 37 people arrested on suspicion of illegal gold mining died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. The incident occurred during the early morning hours following a series of security operations conducted in mid-September.

Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, officially confirmed the deaths during an emergency press conference, describing the event as tragic and announcing the formation of an investigative committee. While local NSCDC official Suberu Siyaka Aniviye suggested the deaths may have been caused by an unspecified illness, survivors and intelligence reports present a conflicting account. Survivor Dauda Shehu stated that 65 individuals were crammed into a single cell with no ventilation, leading to mass asphyxiation as detainees struggled to breathe.

The bodies have been transported to a local hospital for medical examinations to determine the exact cause of death. As authorities begin their investigation, the incident has sparked public unrest and protests by relatives near the General Hospital in Minna.