President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the president gave the directive on Friday following the deaths of the detainees, who were arrested during enforcement operations against illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.
Tinubu said the fact that the deceased were suspected of illegal mining did not remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody.
He directed the investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the condition of the suspects when they were detained, the number of people held in the facility, the conditions of detention, the medical attention provided to them and the events that led to their deaths.
The president said any official found to have contributed to the deaths through abuse, negligence or other unlawful conduct should be arrested and prosecuted.
He also directed the Ministry of Interior and NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with investigators and ensure that no official interferes with the process.
The deaths had earlier prompted the suspension of Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, NSCDC commandant in Niger State, pending the outcome of the investigation. The NSCDC also constituted an investigative team to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The cause of the deaths has not been conclusively established. The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, while Niger State Governor Umar Bago said possible causes being investigated included suffocation from overcrowding and exposure to hazardous substances associated with illegal mining. Forensic examinations and autopsies were ordered to determine the scientific cause of death.
Reports from survivors have also raised questions about the conditions in which the miners were detained. One survivor alleged that dozens of detainees were crowded into a poorly ventilated cell before some began struggling to breathe. The allegation remains subject to investigation.
Tinubu expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm, saying the government would pursue the truth and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.
Federal Government has separately deployed a high-powered team to Niger State to investigate the incident and establish the facts surrounding the deaths.
