The names of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State have been released.
The victims were among suspects arrested during NSCDC operations against illegal mining activities in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026. The arrests were reportedly carried out around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas.
The detainees were found dead in the early hours of September 17 while being held at an NSCDC facility in Minna. The initial explanation from the NSCDC was that a suspected disease outbreak may have caused the deaths, while the bodies were taken to the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to determine the cause of death.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have since triggered public concern, protests and calls for an independent investigation. Governor Umaru Bago confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners had died in NSCDC custody and said investigations were necessary to establish exactly what happened.
The Federal Government has also ordered a probe into the incident. The Ministry of Interior constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the arrests, detention conditions and circumstances surrounding the deaths. Officers connected to the incident, including the Niger State NSCDC commandant, were suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu separately directed a full and transparent investigation, stressing that the circumstances of the arrests, detention conditions, medical attention provided to the detainees and events leading to their deaths must be examined.
Governor Bago also announced measures following protests over the incident, including a curfew in Minna. He later disclosed that 67 people had reportedly been detained, with 37 dying in the cell where male detainees were held. However, the precise cause of death remains subject to investigation.
Full list of the 37 deceased suspects
- Ibrahim Sani
- Fahad Sa’adu
- Abdulsalam Ismail
- Usman Aliyu
- Abubakar Alhaji
- Sani Nasir
- Sanusi Khalid
- Ahmad Aliyu
- Safiyanu Abdullahi
- Suleiman Dantala
- Idris Haruna
- Sani Yakubu
- Safiyanu Abubakar
- Abdullahi Abubakar
- Abubakar Musa
- Abdul Mudassir
- Suleiman Lawal
- Usman Abdullahi
- Samuel Sambo
- Ibrahim Musa
- Yusuf Nasiru
- Umar Lawal
- Isyaku Amisu
- Bissallah Adamu
- Abdulbari Suleiman
- Shafisu Lado
- Usman Ahmad
- Usman Ibrahim
- Sani Isyaku
- Musa Ibrahim
- Idris Bashir
- Kabiru Suleiman
- Emmanuel Emeka
- Mu’awiya AbdulKarim
- Abdul Gafar Abubakar
- Usman Haruna
- Aro Salihu Soba
The identities correspond with lists published by Nigerian news outlets, with some reports noting variations in the spelling of the final name.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine responsibility, while authorities continue to urge affected communities to remain calm.
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