Families of 37 people who died while in the custody of Nigeria’s civil defense agency in Minna, Niger State, are demanding justice as the Federal Government investigates the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The detainees, who were arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining on September 15 and 16, were found dead on September 17 while being held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). The cause of death has not yet been established. The NSCDC initially referred to a possible disease outbreak, while survivors described severe overcrowding and poor ventilation inside the cell.
Survivors also alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside the cell before several detainees began experiencing breathing difficulties. These accounts have not been independently established and are among the issues expected to be examined by investigators. The deaths sparked protests in Minna, with clashes reported between demonstrators and security forces. Authorities imposed a curfew following the unrest. President Bola Tinubu ordered a “full and transparent” investigation, saying deaths in government custody resulting from negligence, abuse or dereliction of duty would not be tolerated.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has since constituted a 10-member independent committee chaired by retired Department of State Services deputy director-general Jonathan Kure. The panel includes medical, legal, human-rights and mining representatives and has two weeks to submit its findings. The government has also suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant and 20 other officers connected to the arrests and detention. The panel has been tasked with establishing the identities of the deceased, determining the cause of death and examining possible negligence or misconduct. For families such as those of Adamu Idris, whose 27-year-old brother died in custody, the investigation is expected to provide answers and accountability. Niger State is one of Nigeria’s major mineral-producing regions and attracts thousands of artisanal miners, making illegal mining a persistent challenge for authorities.
