Niger State govt investigates 37 suspected miners' deaths in NSCDC custody

Niger State Government has launched an investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The probe, announced Thursday, includes forensic examinations and autopsies to determine the exact cause of death, with a committee chaired by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba and Commissioner Maurice Magaji as secretary.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago ordered the closure of all illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi mining site and warned violators would face prosecution. The NSCDC Commandant-General has suspended Niger State Commandant Suberu Aniviye and his team pending investigation. Amnesty International has also called for an independent probe into the arrests and detention conditions.

The state is compiling a register of victims' families to engage them throughout the investigation, with experts from Abuja invited to analyze the mining site. Governor Bago described the deaths as "unfortunate and tragic" and urged residents, especially youths, to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands while investigations proceed.

What accountability measures should be implemented to prevent deaths in security agency custody, and how can communities trust the investigation process when state forces are involved?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/18/niger-govt-probes-deaths-of-37-suspected-miners/