By Gloria Drealomalicha
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 among suspected illegal miners arrested during anti-illegal mining operations conducted by the NSCDC across the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.
However, tragedy struck in the early hours of September 17 when 37 of those arrested were found dead in custody. Reports indicated that some of the victims were found foaming at the mouth.
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, saying the bodies had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to determine the actual cause of death.
The explanation, however, sparked public concern, with Nigerians calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Tension reportedly heightened following protests by youths over the incident. In response, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, imposed a 24-hour curfew in the affected area.
The governor also disclosed that some of the surviving detainees had been 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 circumstances surrounding the deaths remain a subject of investigation, as authorities work to establish what happened to the detainees while they were in custody.
Names of the 37 deceased suspected illegal miners
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
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