The names of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State have been released.
The victims were reportedly arrested during anti-illegal mining operations conducted by the NSCDC across the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.
Their deaths occurred on September 17, shortly after their arrests, sparking public concern, protests and calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The NSCDC had said the suspects died following a suspected disease outbreak. According to the corps, their remains were deposited at the General Hospital in Minna for medical examination to determine the actual cause of death.
The development also led to protests by youths in the state. In response, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew on Friday.
The governor later said some survivors were taken to hospital for treatment, while others had been reunited with their families after the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) took their statements.
The 37 deceased suspects were identified as:
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
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
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain a subject of public concern, with authorities expected to establish the cause through medical examinations and ongoing inquiries.
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