33 illegal miners die in NSCDC custody after Niger State arrest

At least 33 suspected illegal miners arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State have died following a suspected disease outbreak, Daily Post reports.

NSCDC Niger State Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniyiye disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday, September 17, that the deceased were among suspects arrested during a two-day operation conducted on September 15 and 16 at M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto village.

According to Aniyiye, the raid was carried out as part of the command’s renewed efforts to rid the state of illegal mining activities, resulting in the arrest of scores of suspects and the recovery of several exhibits linked to the illicit trade.

The commandant, however, revealed that in the early hours of September 17, scores of the detained suspects were found dead in custody.

He said the corpses had since been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for further medical examination to establish the actual cause of death.

The NSCDC explained that it is working in synergy with sister security agencies to manage the fallout, appealing to members of the public and the families of the deceased to remain calm and avoid any actions capable of triggering a breakdown of law and order.

The command further reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing human rights standards even as it continues its core mandate of protecting lives, property and critical national infrastructure — a pledge now facing fresh scrutiny following the mass deaths.