Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has disclosed that 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners were held in a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) cell before 37 of them died in custody.
The revelation came as investigations continued into the Niger miners deaths, which occurred after the men were arrested during enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.
Speaking to journalists in Minna on Friday, Bago said authorities had yet to establish the exact cause of the deaths but were examining several possibilities, including suffocation caused by overcrowding and exposure to hazardous substances linked to mining activities.
The governor said the 67 miners had been taken into NSCDC custody following the enforcement operation, raising concerns about the conditions under which they were detained.
The NSCDC initially suggested that the deaths could have been linked to a disease outbreak after the bodies were discovered in the early hours of September 17. The Corps later clarified that the actual cause had not been determined and that medical and laboratory investigations were required.
Bago said medical, forensic and biological experts had been deployed to collect samples and examine evidence that could help determine what happened.
According to the governor, autopsies and other examinations must be completed quickly to establish the cause of the Niger miners deaths and determine whether conditions inside the detention facility contributed to the incident.
He also disclosed that experts were examining the possibility of radiological exposure at the mining location as part of the investigation.
Bago called for greater attention to safety in the mining sector, saying miners should be equipped with appropriate protective gear and receive continuous education about the dangers associated with mining activities.
The governor stressed that the death of 37 people was too serious to be treated casually and urged investigators to expedite the examination of the bodies, samples from the scene and the actions of NSCDC personnel involved in the arrests.
The NSCDC has confirmed that several suspected illegal miners arrested during the operation were later found dead in custody. The Corps said the bodies had been taken for medical examination while investigations continued.
The Federal Government has also suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Authorities are yet to release a final explanation for the Niger miners deaths, while medical, forensic and security investigations are expected to establish what led to the deaths and whether any officials or other factors contributed to the incident.
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