NSCDC probes deaths of suspected illegal miners in Niger

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has commenced an investigation into the deaths of some suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations in Niger State.

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The suspects were arrested during coordinated operations conducted by the corps’ Niger State Command in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis on September 15 and 16, 2026, as part of efforts to curb illegal mining activities in the state.

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The development comes amid reports that no fewer than 33 suspected illegal miners were feared dead after being detained at an NSCDC facility in Minna, the state capital.n

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The deaths were reportedly discovered in the early hours of Thursday, with the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, attributing the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak.

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However, the NSCDC National Headquarters said the cause of the deaths had yet to be established, stressing that claims linking them to a specific disease remained subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.

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In a statement on Thursday, the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said the Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, had directed the constitution of a high-powered investigative team to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

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Afolabi said the team would be led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation.

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He noted that the panel had been mandated to investigate the circumstances leading to the deaths, including the condition of the suspects upon arrest, their period in custody, the conditions of detention, medical attention provided and other relevant circumstances surrounding the incident.

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The statement partly read, “NSCDC has confirmed the death of some suspected illegal miners who were arrested during enforcement operations conducted in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.

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“Following the development, the Commandant General, Abubakar Audi, has directed the constitution of a high-powered investigative team, led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, to immediately look into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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“The team has been mandated to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the deaths, including the condition of the suspects upon arrest, their period in custody, the conditions of detention, medical attention provided, and other relevant circumstances surrounding the incident.”

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Audi also directed that the health and welfare of all persons currently in custody be given priority, while measures were being taken to protect personnel who might have had contact with the affected persons.

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The Corps expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them that the circumstances surrounding the incident would be thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed based on facts.

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“The NSCDC wishes to clarify that reports attributing the deaths to any specific disease remain subject to medical and laboratory confirmation. The Corps will, therefore, refrain from speculation until the outcome of the medical examination is established.

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“The Corps extends its condolences to the families of the deceased and assures them that the circumstances surrounding the incident will be thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed based on established facts, ” Afolabi said.

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