The Niger State Government has begun an investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
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The state government announced the investigation on Thursday, September 17, 2026, and ordered forensic tests and autopsies to establish the exact circumstances and causes of the deaths.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Bologi Ibrahim, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday.
The government has constituted a committee to investigate the incident, with Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba appointed as chairman and Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, serving as secretary.
The state government also said other security agencies were carrying out separate investigations into the deaths. The State Security Service, Nigeria Police Force and the NSCDC have reportedly set up their own committees to examine what happened.
The development followed the earlier suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and members of his team by the Commandant-General of the corps. The suspension was intended to allow an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Governor Bago described the incident as tragic and expressed sympathy to the families of those who died.
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He assured the families that the state government would pursue the investigation and work towards establishing what happened before, during and after the victims were taken into custody.
As part of the process, the government is compiling information on the families of the deceased and plans to maintain contact with them throughout the investigation.
The governor has also directed the immediate closure of illegal mining operations around the M.I. Wushishi mining site, where the suspected miners were reportedly arrested. He warned that anyone who disobeys the order would face prosecution.
The state government also plans to bring experts from Abuja to inspect the mining area and carry out technical analysis of the site.
Bago called on residents, particularly young people in the affected communities, to remain peaceful and allow the relevant authorities to handle the matter rather than resorting to self-help.
The incident has also attracted the attention of Amnesty International, which called for an independent investigation into the deaths.
The organisation said authorities should establish the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the suspected miners and determine the conditions under which they were held before their deaths.
Amnesty International also called for justice for the victims and their relatives, urging that anyone found responsible for wrongdoing should be held accountable under the law.
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