The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has opened an investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners who were arrested during enforcement operations in Niger State.
The Corps said the investigation would establish what happened to the suspects while in custody, including their condition when they were arrested, the conditions under which they were detained and the medical attention they received.
Reports had put the number of deaths at no fewer than 33, while other reports cited 40 deaths.
The suspects were arrested during coordinated operations by the Niger State Command in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis on September 15 and 16, 2026, as part of efforts to tackle illegal mining in the state.
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 death had not been established.
The Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, in a statement on Friday, said the Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had constituted a high-powered investigative team led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation.
The statement said the team would conduct a comprehensive inquiry 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.”
Afolabi said reports linking the deaths to any specific disease remained subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.
“The NSCDC wishes to clarify that reports attributing the deaths to any specific disease remain subject to medical and laboratory confirmation. The Corps will therefore refrain from speculation until the outcome of the medical examination is established,” he said.
Audi also directed that the health and welfare of all persons currently in NSCDC custody be prioritised.
The Corps said measures were being taken to protect personnel who may have had contact with the affected persons.
It also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and said the findings of the investigation would guide further action based on established facts.
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