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Nigeria investigates deaths of 37 miners in NSCDC custody
The Nigerian Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. The detainees reportedly died on September 17, 2026, following arrests made during operations in the M. I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, acting on directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, charged the panel with establishing the cause of death, examining the legality of the detention, and investigating allegations of torture, negligence, or human rights violations. The committee, chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General Jonathan Kure, has been given two weeks to submit its findings. The Minister warned that any attempts to obstruct the investigation or conceal evidence will be treated as serious offenses.
While the NSCDC initially suggested a disease outbreak as the cause of death, survivors have alleged that officers sprayed an unidentified substance into overcrowded, poorly ventilated cells, leading to breathing difficulties and erratic behavior. Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has criticized the NSCDC's handling of the incident as unprofessional, while the South-South Youths Initiative has defended the NSCDC Commandant-General against calls for his removal, suggesting the backlash may be politically motivated by illegal mining interests.
Entities
Bola Ahmed Tinubu · Mohammed Umaru Bago · National Movement for Tinubu–Shettima 2027 · Niger State · Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps · Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago described the handling of the case by NSCDC officials as unprofessional. www.thisdaylive.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners. nairobinews.co.ke · nannews.ng · nationalaccordnewspaper.com · www.nigerianeye.com · punchng.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The investigative committee has been given two weeks to complete its work and submit a report. persecondnews.com · www.nigerianeye.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Survivors alleged that officers sprayed an unidentified substance into the cells, causing breathing difficulties and erratic behavior. nairobinews.co.ke
- [● 9 SOURCES] 37 suspected illegal miners died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. nairobinews.co.ke · tgnews.com.ng · nannews.ng · nationalaccordnewspaper.com · persecondnews.com · +4 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak. nairobinews.co.ke