Olushola Omogbehin
About 33 suspected illegal miners arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State have lost their lives as a result of suspected disease outbreak.
Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, disclosed on Thursday, September 17, 2026 that the deceased were among suspected illegal miners arrested during an operation conducted by the NSCDC in the state.
According to NSCDC, many of the suspected illegal miners arrested during an operation on September 15 and 16 at M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto village by the command have died due to suspected disease outbreak.
The operation which resulted into the arrest of scores of suspected illegal miners and recovery of various exhibits, was carried out as part of the command’s efforts to end illegal mining activities in the state.
At the early hours of September 17 however, many of the suspects were found dead after which their corpses were deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for further medical examination to establish the actual cause of death.
NSCDC further explained that its currently working in synergy with sister security agencies to manage the situation and appealed to members of the public and families of the deceased to remain calm.
However, NSCDC has ordered probe into the death by directing investigators to unravel what happened to the detainees before their deaths.
The Corps has also ordered medical examination of the bodies to establish the actual cause of death, amid reports linking the incident to diphtheria, but warned that the disease claim remains subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.
NSCDC in a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, ACC Babawale Afolabi, said 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, to probe the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Among others, NSCDC said the committee would examine the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, the period they spent in custody, the conditions under which they were detained, the medical attention provided and other circumstances surrounding the incident.
