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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has launched an investigation into the deaths of some suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations in Niger State.
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.
The operations were part of efforts to curb illegal mining activities in the state.
The investigation follows reports that no fewer than 33 suspected illegal miners were feared dead after being detained at an NSCDC facility in Minna.
The deaths were reportedly 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 actual cause of death had not been established.
The Corps stressed that reports linking the deaths to any particular disease remained subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said the Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had ordered a high-powered investigation into the incident.
According to Afolabi, the investigative team will be led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation.
The team will examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the condition of the suspects when they were arrested.
It will also investigate the period they spent in custody, their detention conditions and the medical attention they received.
The statement partly read, “NSCDC has confirmed the death of some suspected illegal miners who were arrested during enforcement operations conducted in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.
“Following the development, the Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has directed the constitution of a high-powered investigative team, led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, to immediately look into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
The Corps said the team had been directed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all factors that may have contributed to the deaths.
“The team has been mandated to undertake a comprehensive investigation 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,” the statement added.
Audi also directed the Corps to prioritise the health and welfare of all persons currently in custody.
He ordered measures to protect personnel who may have come into contact with the affected suspects.
The NSCDC expressed condolences to the families of those who died.
It assured them that the circumstances surrounding the deaths would be thoroughly investigated and addressed based on established facts.
Afolabi further cautioned against drawing conclusions before the medical examination is completed.
“The NSCDC wishes to clarify that reports attributing the deaths to any specific disease remain subject to medical and laboratory confirmation,” he said.
“The Corps will therefore refrain from speculation until the outcome of the medical examination is established.”
