Between Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, 2026, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State carried out what it called a “burst operation” against illegal mining in the Wushishi-Lukoto area west of Minna, and arrested dozens of suspects. By Thursday, September 17, 37 of those detained were found dead inside the NSCDC detention facility.
What killed them?
The NSCDC’s Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, said the deaths were caused by a suspected disease outbreak, with the suspected disease being diphtheria. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has since suspended Commandant Aniviye pending the outcome of the investigation.
Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, who confirmed the death toll at 37 during a Thursday press conference in Minna, however, said the cause of death hadn’t been officially established, and it was too early to draw conclusions.
Bago disclosed that investigators were examining several possible causes, including exposure to hazardous chemicals. Meanwhile, an AFP intelligence report suggests overcrowding and poor ventilation inside the detention facility may be the reason for the deaths.
A video filmed during the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s, visit to some of the survivors has added another layer to the dispute. In it, one survivor says: “They sprayed something in the cell after putting us inside, and people started falling down.”
The clip has circulated widely on social media, with other survivor accounts say that around 65 to 66 people were packed into a small cell.
VIDEO: They sprayed something in the cell after putting us inside, and people started falling down.'
— Rinu Oduala 🔥🔫 (@SavvyRinu) September 18, 2026
– One of the survivors of the NSCDC horror cell in Niger states pic.twitter.com/6y6LF57IYC
Families of the deceased are not buying the disease explantion and are questioning how a sudden infection could kill dozens of healthy youths in a single night while leaving facility guards untouched. The bodies have been taken to the General Hospital, Minna, for autopsy.
Who’s telling the truth?
The NSCDC’s Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has ordered an internal panel, led by the Deputy Commandant General for Intelligence and Investigation, to examine the arrests, detention conditions, medical care provided, and the circumstances of the deaths.
Separately, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has opened its own investigation, with its spokesman Wasiu Abiodun confirming this on Thursday, September 17.
What are people saying?
The deaths have triggered protests in Niger State, with families and residents gathering at Minna General Hospital and demanding answers. Some protesters are calling for criminal charges if negligence is confirmed.
The bigger picture
Niger State is rich in gold and attracts thousands of small-scale miners, many of whom are from poor communities. Security agencies have stepped up raids on illegal mining sites in recent years, arguing the informal trade is helping smuggling and armed criminal activity.
A 2024 SwissAid report found much of the region’s gold moves through global supply chains largely untracked, which is part of why crackdowns like this one keep happening.
We need answers
As of the time of this report, we don’t know the actual cause of death, and that shouldn’t take long to establish. Both investigations need to conclude quickly, and whoever’s responsible needs to be held accountable for their actions or inactions.
