Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has cautioned against drawing premature conclusions over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Minna, saying investigations must establish the actual cause of the tragedy.
Bago said the deceased were found with signs that could point to different possible causes, including poisoning or suffocation.
The governor disclosed that some of the bodies had foam or blood around their mouths, while some reportedly had burns.
He said forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies were being conducted to determine what actually caused the deaths.
According to him, investigators were examining the possibility that overcrowding in the detention facility and exposure to hazardous chemicals associated with illegal mining may have contributed to the incident.
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Bago said, “We just woke up to the news of the death. We don’t know what happened. Some of the victims were found with foam or blood in their mouths which could be poisoning or suffocation. We are not sure.”
He added that samples had been taken from some of the victims before they were buried.
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“There were burns on the bodies of some. We really don’t know what happened but investigation will unravel the truth,” the governor said.
Protest rocks Minna
The deaths sparked protests in Minna, the Niger State capital, as angry residents and youths took to the streets to demand answers.
Major roads were reportedly barricaded during the demonstrations, while security operatives allegedly deployed tear gas to disperse protesters.
There were also reports alleging that live ammunition was used during the unrest.
The development prompted human rights organization, Global Rights, to call for an investigation into the alleged use of live ammunition by security personnel.
The organization said security agencies had a responsibility to maintain public order but insisted that such responsibility must be exercised within the law and with respect for the right to life and peaceful assembly.
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24-hour curfew imposed
Following the unrest, Governor Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew in parts of Minna, effective immediately after Friday’s Jumat prayers.
He also ordered the suspension of mining activities across the state and announced the closure of the illegal mining site in the M.I. Wushishi area.
According to the governor, mining activities in the area had allegedly been carried out without the appropriate technology and safety equipment.
Bago said several investigative committees had been constituted by the NSCDC, the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services, alongside a committee established by the Niger State Government.
He also lamented the increasing involvement of young people in illegal mining, saying some children were abandoning education and skills acquisition for mining activities.
Tinubu orders comprehensive investigation
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the deaths, directing relevant authorities to establish exactly what happened and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the fact that the deceased were suspected of illegal mining did not remove their fundamental rights while in government custody.
Tinubu stressed that enforcement operations must be conducted strictly according to the law and with full respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of people in custody.
He warned that the government would not tolerate mass deaths resulting from official negligence, dereliction of duty or failure by public officials to protect people placed under their care.
The President directed investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions of detention, the number of people held at the facility, the medical attention provided and events leading to the deaths.
He further directed the Ministry of Interior and NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with investigators and ensure that no official interferes with the process.
NSCDC Commandant suspended
In a related development, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye.
The suspension followed the deaths of the suspected illegal miners in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna.
The minister described the incident as unfortunate and said a full-scale investigation would be conducted.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding while the investigation continues.
NSCDC initially reported suspected disease outbreak
The tragedy followed an NSCDC operation carried out on September 15 and 16, 2026, in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto Village, areas known for small-scale gold mining.
The operation was reportedly conducted as part of efforts to tackle illegal mining.
Unverified reports alleged that about 65 suspects arrested during the operation were held at an NSCDC facility, where 37 were subsequently found dead in the early hours of Thursday, September 17.
The NSCDC had initially described the deaths as resulting from a suspected outbreak of disease.
However, the governor’s comments about possible suffocation, poisoning and chemical exposure have added further questions surrounding the circumstances of the deaths.
Calls grow for autopsies and accountability
Calls for an independent investigation have continued to mount.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, demanded independent autopsies, disclosure of the identities of the deceased and detention records, as well as compensation for the victims’ families.
The party also called for the prosecution of any officials found responsible.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar similarly called for an independent, thorough and transparent investigation, saying the findings should be made public.
Atiku said the suspension of the NSCDC commandant should only be the beginning of efforts to establish what happened and ensure accountability.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also assured Nigerians that the government would not shield anyone found culpable.
He, however, cautioned against prejudging the investigation, saying the immediate responsibility of government was to establish the facts and ensure that justice was served.
Rights groups demand investigation into protest violence
Global Rights also demanded an immediate investigation into reports that security forces used live ammunition during the protests.
The organisation called for accountability if violations were established and urged authorities to ensure that grieving families and protesters could seek justice without intimidation or retaliation.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Renevlyn Development Initiative, Philip Jakpor, called for immediate autopsies and demanded that the findings be made public.
Jakpor questioned the circumstances surrounding the arrests and detention of the miners and called for investigations into the individuals and interests behind the mining operations.
Government, investigators under pressure for answers
With multiple investigations now underway, attention is turning to the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the conditions inside the detention facility and the events that led to the deaths.
Authorities are also expected to establish the identities of all those who died, determine the scientific cause of death and establish whether any act of negligence, abuse or unlawful conduct contributed to the tragedy.
For the families of the 37 deceased miners and residents of Minna, the investigations are expected to provide answers to one central question: how did 37 people who were taken into government custody alive end up dead?
The Federal Government has promised that the investigation will be comprehensive and transparent, while insisting that anyone found responsible will face the consequences under the law.
