Thirty-seven suspected illegal miners have been formally identified following their sudden deaths while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
Security operatives had rounded up the men during a targeted sweep against illegal mining operations across the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.
Tragedy struck just a day after their arrest, triggering widespread public outrage, youth-led demonstrations, and urgent demands for a full investigation.
Defending its handling of the detainees, the NSCDC claimed an unexpected disease outbreak swept through the holding facility, leading to the rapid loss of life.
Officials subsequently transferred the remains to the General Hospital in Minna, where pathologists are working to confirm the exact cause of death.
To contain the escalating civil unrest and restore order, Governor Mohammed Bago declared an immediate 24-hour curfew across the state.
While police and DSS operatives have begun documenting survivor accounts, several affected individuals received emergency hospital care before returning to their families.
Below are the names those who died in the NSCDC custody:
Ibrahim Sani
Fahad Sa’adu
Abdulsalam Ismail
Usman Aliyu
Abubakar Alhaji
Sani Nasir
Sanusi Khalid
Ahmad Aliyu
Safiyanu Abdullahi
Suleiman Dantala
Idris Haruna
Sani Yakubu
Safiyanu Abubakar
Abdullahi Abubakar
Abubakar Musa
Others include:
Abdul Mudassir
Suleiman Lawal
Usman Abdullahi
Samuel Sambo
Ibrahim Musa
Yusuf Nasiru
Umar Lawal
Isyaku Amisu
Bissallah Adamu
Abdulbari Suleiman
Shafisu Lado
Usman Ahmad
Usman Ibrahim
Sani Isyaku
Musa Ibrahim
Idris Bashir
Kabiru Suleiman
Emmanuel Emeka
Mu’awiya AbdulKarim
Abdul Gafar Abubakar
Usman Haruna
Aro Salihu Soba
