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 on September 15 and 16, 2026.
In the early hours of September 17, the 37 detainees were found dead, with reports stating that some were foaming at the mouth.
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, saying the bodies were deposited at the General Hospital in Minna for medical examination to determine the actual cause of death.
The development, however, triggered public concern and calls for an independent investigation.
Following protests by youths, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew, while authorities said some survivors were taken to hospital and others reunited with their families after giving statements to the police and the Department of State Services, DSS.
The deceased have been 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 and Aro Salihu Soba.