Thirty-three suspected illegal miners have died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State, less than 48 hours after they were arrested during an operation targeting illegal mining activities.
The detainees reportedly died in the early hours of Thursday after what the NSCDC described as a suspected outbreak of disease among those arrested.
The incident occurred at a time when the circumstances surrounding the deaths, the identity of the suspected disease and the medical condition of the detainees before their deaths remained unclear.
The Niger State Command of the NSCDC confirmed that some of the suspects detained during the operation had died but did not initially state the number of fatalities.
Its Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Rabiu, however, told The Nation on Thursday that 33 suspects were dead.
Rabiu said he was out of town when contacted and promised to provide additional information on the incident.
The state commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, said the bodies had been taken to the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination.
He said the examination was expected to establish what caused the deaths.
The suspects were arrested during an operation conducted on September 15 and 16 at M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto villages as part of the command’s renewed campaign against illegal mining in the state.
In a statement titled, “Arrest of Suspected Illegal Miners at M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto Village and Deaths Following Suspected Outbreak of Disease,” Aniviye said the operation initially resulted in the arrest of scores of suspected illegal miners.
“However, in the early hours of 17th September, 2026, scores of the detained suspects were found dead, following a suspected outbreak of disease,” he said.
The command said exhibits were recovered during the operation but did not specify the items or disclose the total number of people arrested.
The deaths have raised questions about the circumstances of the detention, particularly how the alleged outbreak was detected and managed.
The NSCDC did not say whether the detainees had undergone medical screening after their arrest, whether any of them had complained of illness or whether medical personnel were called in when the suspected outbreak occurred.
It also did not disclose how many detainees remained in custody or whether those still being held had been medically examined.
The commandant said the corps was coordinating with other security agencies to contain the situation.
He appealed to relatives of the deceased and members of the public to remain calm, warning against actions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
Aniviye said the NSCDC was committed to respecting human rights and international human rights charters while carrying out its statutory duties.
He said the corps would continue to enforce its mandate, including protecting lives and property as well as critical national assets and infrastructure.
The command did not disclose whether an independent inquiry had been initiated into the deaths or when the findings of the medical examinations would be released.
The cause of death therefore remains officially undetermined pending the outcome of the medical examination.
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