Full List of 37 Suspected Illegal Miners Who Died in Niger NSCDC Custody

By Al-Amin Ciroma 

The identities of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State have emerged, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The National Lens reports that the victims were among scores of people arrested during anti-illegal mining operations conducted around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate and Lukoto areas of Minna on September 15 and 16, 2026.

They reportedly died on September 17, shortly after being taken into custody in Minna.

The names were released through information compiled by the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), with the initial list reportedly obtained from records at the General Hospital, Minna. Four additional names were supplied by relatives of the deceased.

The 37 identified victims are Ibrahim Sani, Fahad Sa’adu, Abdulsalam Ismail, Usman Aliyu, Abubakar Alhaji, Sani Nasir, Sanusi Khalid, Ahmad Aliyu, Safiyanu Abdullahi, Suleiman Dantala, Idris Haruna, Sani Yakubu, Safiyanu Abubakar, Abdullahi Abubakar, Abubakar Musa, Abdul Mudassir, Suleiman Lawal, Usman Abdullahi, Samuel Sambo, Ibrahim Musa, Yusuf Nasiru, Umar Lawal, Isyaku Amisu, Bissallah Adamu, Abdulbari Suleiman, Shafisu Lado, Usman Ahmad, Usman Ibrahim, Sani Isyaku, Musa Ibrahim, Idris Bashir, Kabiru Suleiman, Emmanuel Emeka, Mu’awiya AbdulKarim, Abdul Gafar Abubakar, Usman Haruna and Yaro Salihu Soba.

However, the IHRC noted that the last four names — Mu’awiya AbdulKarim, Abdul Gafar Abubakar, Usman Haruna and Yaro Salihu Soba — were not contained in the General Hospital list and were added based on information provided by relatives. Their identities are therefore still being reconciled as part of the ongoing investigation.

The deaths have generated widespread concern, particularly over the conditions under which the suspects were detained.

The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, while stressing that the actual cause had not been conclusively established. Other accounts have raised questions about overcrowding and ventilation inside the detention facility, but these allegations remain subject to investigation.

The Federal Government has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, alongside 20 other personnel pending the outcome of the investigation.

An independent 10-member committee was subsequently constituted to investigate the deaths, establish what happened during the arrests and detention, determine the cause and circumstances of the deaths, and identify any responsibility, negligence or misconduct where applicable.

The NSCDC has also placed 24 personnel in custody in connection with the incident, including the suspended Niger State commandant, as the investigation continues. Abdulhamid Kabara has since assumed duty as the new commandant of the Niger State Command.

The release of the names is expected to assist families in formally identifying their relatives and could also aid the authorities in resolving questions surrounding the detention and deaths.

For now, the precise cause of the deaths remains under investigation, with authorities expected to rely on medical, forensic and other evidence before reaching definitive conclusions.