At least 33 suspected illegal miners arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State have reportedly died following a suspected disease outbreak.
The Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
According to Aniviye, the deceased were among scores of suspected illegal miners arrested during an operation carried out on September 15 and 16 around M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto village in the state.
He said the operation was part of the command’s intensified efforts to curb illegal mining activities in Niger State and resulted in the arrest of several suspects as well as the recovery of various items believed to be connected to the activities under investigation.
However, the commandant said security officials discovered in the early hours of Thursday that several of the detained suspects had died.
The NSCDC said a disease outbreak was suspected to be responsible for the deaths, but stressed that the actual cause had not yet been determined.
The corpses were subsequently deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, where medical examinations and further investigations are expected to establish the precise cause of death.
The NSCDC said it was coordinating with other security agencies and relevant authorities to contain the situation and determine what led to the deaths.
The command also appealed to members of the public and relatives of the deceased to remain calm and avoid any actions capable of causing a breakdown of law and order while investigations continue.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the lives and rights of people in its custody, stating that it would continue to observe human rights standards and applicable international human rights conventions in the discharge of its duties.
The NSCDC further restated its responsibility to protect lives and property, as well as critical national assets and infrastructure across Niger State.
