Minna, September 19, 2026: Nigeria’s intensified crackdown on illegal mining has come under scrutiny after 37 people suspected of illegal mining died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. The deaths have triggered protests, government investigations and calls for greater accountability.
The detainees were arrested during raids on suspected illegal mining sites in the Wushishi-Lukoto area on September 15 and 16. Authorities later discovered the detainees dead at the NSCDC facility in Minna. Several reports said that some of those detained were teenagers.
Cause of Death Under Investigation
The NSCDC initially referred to a suspected disease outbreak, but its national headquarters said the exact cause of death had not yet been established and that medical and laboratory examinations were required. Survivors and other reports have raised concerns about overcrowding and inadequate ventilation inside the detention facility.
Authorities have ordered investigations and autopsies. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also called for a full investigation, while the Niger State NSCDC commandant was suspended pending the probe.
Protests and Curfew
The deaths prompted protests in Minna, with demonstrators demanding answers and accountability. Security forces used tear gas during the demonstrations, while authorities imposed a curfew after violence and attacks on government property were reported.
Rights groups have also called for an independent investigation. Amnesty International said the circumstances surrounding the arrests, detention conditions and deaths must be thoroughly examined.
Nigeria’s Illegal Mining Challenge
The incident comes as Nigeria seeks to tackle widespread unauthorised mining and bring more artisanal mining activity under regulatory control. Authorities say illegal mining can damage the environment, reduce government revenues and, in some areas, provide income or financing linked to criminal groups.
The government has maintained that its efforts to combat illegal mining will continue, while stressing that enforcement must comply with the law. The investigation into the 37 deaths is expected to determine what happened inside the detention facility and whether officials or others should face further action.