Police Secure Scene of Niger Miners’ Deaths, Begin Evidence Preservation

The Nigeria Police Force has secured the scene where 37 suspected illegal miners died in NSCDC custody in Niger State as investigations into the incident continue.

Daniel Momodu · September 19, 2026 · 33

The Nigeria Police Force has secured the scene of an incident in Niger State where 37 suspected illegal miners died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as part of efforts to preserve evidence for investigation.

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, disclosed this on Saturday after inspecting the scene alongside Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and other security officials.

Disu said the area had been secured to prevent anything from being removed or added before investigators completed their work.

He said the police would work with the committee constituted by the state government, the NSCDC and other security agencies to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The police chief also appealed for calm following demonstrations and riots that erupted in Minna after news of the deaths emerged. He said the situation had stabilised after the state government imposed a curfew.

Disu assured residents that the investigation would be transparent and that relevant information would not be concealed.

The deaths followed the arrest of suspected illegal miners during enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

The exact cause of the deaths remains under investigation. Governor Bago had said preliminary examinations showed that some of the bodies had burns and peeling skin, while foaming from the mouth and blood stains were also observed. Possible causes being examined include overcrowding, suffocation and poisoning.

The NSCDC has also commenced an investigation into the incident, while the Federal Government has ordered a broader probe. President Bola Tinubu directed that any officials found to have contributed to the deaths through action, abuse or negligence should be arrested and prosecuted where evidence warrants it.

The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances of the arrests, the number of detainees, the conditions in which they were held, the medical attention provided and the events leading to the deaths.