How 37 Illegal Miners Died In Niger Civil Defence Custody, 20 Others In Taraba Pit

*** NSCDC begins probe of Minna incident* **

By CHRISTIANA NWAOGU, ABU NMODU AND ATTAH ANTHONY

More facts have emerged on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

Meanwhile, tragedy struck Mayo Kam community in Bali local government area of Taraba State yesterday when a mining pit collapsed on illegal miners, leaving more than 20 people, including women and children, feared dead.

In the Niger State incident, the NSCDC has constituted a high-powered investigative team to probe the deaths and ordered medical examination of the remains to establish the actual cause of death.

The commandant of the NSCDC in Niger State, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, confirmed that the suspects were arrested at an illegal mining site in a residential layout.

The Niger State Command had earlier said that, in its renewed efforts to rid the state of illegal mining activities, it conducted a “bust operation” on September 15 and 16, 2026, leading to the arrest of suspected illegal miners and the recovery of exhibits.

It said, “The operation yielded significant results, with scores of suspected illegal miners arrested and various exhibits recovered.

“However, in the early hours of 17th September, 2026, scores of the detained suspects were found dead, following a suspected outbreak of disease.”

LEADERSHIP Friday gathered that 40 suspects were kept in a 100-male-capacity cell after they were arrested during the operations at residential areas in M.I. Wushishi Estate, Minna, where the alleged illegal mining took place.

Of the 40 suspects detained, 33 were found dead with foam in their mouths yesterday morning, while the seven others were immediately rushed to the intensive care unit of Minna General Hospital. But the state government put the death toll at 37.

An insider hinted that the suspects might have died from a combination of drugs allegedly used before they entered the mining pit and chemicals from the minerals.

It was also learnt that their detention in the cell made it difficult for them to receive adequate attention, possibly leading to complications that resulted in their deaths.

However, the NSCDC cautioned against speculation over the cause of the deaths, saying reports linking the incident to any specific disease remained subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.

In a statement signed by its national spokesperson, ACC Babawale Afolabi, the NSCDC said its commandant-general, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, directed the immediate constitution of the investigative team, headed by the deputy commandant-general in charge of Intelligence and Investigation.

According to the corps, the team has been mandated to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the condition of the suspects upon arrest, the period they spent in custody, the conditions of detention, medical attention provided to them and other relevant circumstances.

Afolabi said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination and determination of the actual cause of death.

“The corps will therefore refrain from speculation until the outcome of the medical examination is established,” the statement said.

The NSCDC said it was working with relevant health authorities and sister security agencies to ensure appropriate medical and public health measures were taken.

It also directed that the health and welfare of all persons currently in custody be given “utmost priority”, while measures were being taken to protect personnel who may have had contact with the affected persons.

While extending condolences to the families of the deceased, the corps assured them that the circumstances surrounding the incident would be thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed based on established facts.

A sister of one of the deceased suspects, Aisha Ahmed, told LEADERSHIP Friday amid tears that the families only wanted the bodies released to them.

“We just want them to release the corpses for us,” she said, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the sudden deaths of their loved ones should be fully established.

The NSCDC said the investigative team would examine all relevant circumstances surrounding the incident as part of efforts to establish the facts behind the deaths.

The corps reiterated its commitment to combating illegal mining and protecting Nigeria’s critical national assets, while urging members of the public to remain calm and allow the investigative and medical processes to take their course.

It promised to provide further updates as verified information becomes available.

Gov Bago Confirms 37 Die In NSCDC Custody, Declares 3-day Mourning

Following the death of suspected illegal miners in the custody of NSCDC, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has declared three days of mourning, describing the incident as unfortunate

He also cancelled the flag-off of the APC campaign rally slated for this Saturday in Minna, the state capital.

Bago confirmed that 37 died in the corps’ custody while describing the incident as unfortunate

The governor commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives and declared a three-day mourning period in their honour.

20 Feared Dead In Taraba Mining Pit Collapse

In a separate incident, more than 20 miners were feared dead after a mining pit collapsed in Mayo Kam community, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, yesterday.

The incident occurred in the afternoon while the miners were reportedly working inside the pit, triggering panic and plunging the community into mourning.

Although the casualty figure had yet to be officially confirmed as of press time, residents said more than 20 miners were believed to have been trapped beneath the earth following the collapse.

A resident of the community, Kenneth Ayila, who confirmed the incident to LEADERSHIP, said the miners were inside the pit when it suddenly caved in.

“A mining pit has collapsed on miners at Mayo Kam village in the Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State this afternoon. Over 20 people are feared dead,” Ayila said.

A community leader, Mallam Usman Bello, said the scale of the tragedy had left residents in shock, adding that most of the victims were indigenes of Mayo Kam.

“Those who were killed in the mining pit are mostly from the Mayo Kam community. Only a few people usually come from neighbouring communities to engage in mining here,” Bello said.

“We are in total shock over the incident,” he added.

The Taraba State Police Command, however, said it had not received an official report on the incident from its Bali Area Command.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Victor Mshelizah, told LEADERSHIP that the police headquarters was awaiting a formal report before releasing details.

“We have not received the official report from the police area command in Bali. As soon as we get the details, I will give you the information,” Mshelizah said.

The collapse has renewed scrutiny of mining activities in Taraba State, particularly illegal operations, which authorities have repeatedly expressed concerns over.

The incident also highlights the dangers associated with poorly regulated mining sites, where unstable excavations can result in deadly collapses and endanger both miners and surrounding communities.

It would be recalled that Taraba State recently held a roundtable summit on mineral investment, where investors from across the world expressed interest in investing in the state’s mineral resources.

As of press time, the actual number of people killed in the Taraba incident remained unclear, while efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse, as well as the status of possible rescue and recovery operations, were ongoing.