Niger Miners’ Deaths: Survivor Alleges Substance Was Sprayed in Cell as Probe Intensifies

A survivor of the detention tragedy in Niger State has alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside an overcrowded cell shortly before detainees began collapsing, as investigations intensify into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The survivor made the allegation on Friday, September 18, 2026, when Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo met with some of the surviving detainees in Minna.

According to the survivor, 17 people were initially locked inside a small room before an additional 48 detainees were brought in, taking the number inside the cell to 65 people.

He said the detainees complained repeatedly about the size of the room and the extreme heat but were still kept inside.

The survivor alleged that an unidentified substance that resembled perfume was sprayed inside the cell shortly before the door was locked.

He said the smell became disturbing and caused a burning sensation in the throat and eyes, after which some of the detainees began collapsing.

He also alleged that the detainees pleaded for water because of the intense heat but were told that the cell would not be opened that night.

The survivor said he eventually fainted and regained consciousness the following morning.

Another survivor reportedly said he escaped death because he was positioned close to the entrance of the cell, where he could breathe more easily. He also alleged that detainees shouted for help after people began collapsing.

The allegation concerning the unidentified substance has not been independently established. Authorities have not identified the substance, and the ongoing investigations have not determined whether it caused or contributed to the deaths.

The tragedy occurred after suspected illegal and artisanal miners were arrested during enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

Governor Bago subsequently disclosed that 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners had been detained in an NSCDC facility before 37 of them died.

The disclosure has raised further questions about the number of detainees held in the facility and the conditions under which they were kept.

Bago said the circumstances surrounding the deaths were being investigated, with authorities examining possible factors including overcrowding, suffocation and exposure to hazardous substances.

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The state government has ordered forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies to establish the precise cause of death.

A committee of inquiry has also been constituted by the Niger State Government to investigate the incident. The committee is chaired by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, with Commissioner for Homeland Security Maurice Magaji serving as secretary.

The Nigeria Police Force has also commenced its own investigation into the deaths.

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu visited Niger State on Friday and said the police would work with the state government and NSCDC to establish what happened.

Disu described the deaths as a serious custody-related incident and said the police would investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths without compromising the process.

He also appealed to residents to remain calm and warned against taking the law into their own hands following protests that erupted in Minna.

The deaths triggered demonstrations in the Niger State capital, with protesters demanding answers over how 37 people could die while in government custody.

The unrest led to the imposition of a curfew by the state government after violence and reported attacks on property. Police used tear gas to disperse some protesters who gathered around the  BVoffice.

The Federal Government has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the deaths.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said no Nigerian should lose their life in government custody because of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.

The President directed relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances of the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions under which they were detained, the number of people held in the facility, the medical attention provided and the events leading to the deaths.

Tinubu also directed that any official whose actions, abuse or negligence is found to have contributed to the deaths should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He stressed that the suspension of officials should not substitute for determining criminal responsibility where evidence supports prosecution.

The Federal Ministry of Interior has suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Tunji-Ojo said the commandant would remain suspended while authorities conduct a full investigation into the incident.

The suspension is an administrative measure and does not, by itself, establish criminal responsibility for the deaths.

The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has also deployed a high-powered investigative team to Niger State to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and establish the facts.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake said the team would investigate the incident as part of the Federal Government’s response.

Meanwhile, reports have raised concerns about the initial explanation for the deaths. The NSCDC had initially linked the incident to a suspected disease outbreak, but survivor accounts and subsequent official statements have prompted investigations into other possible causes.

Authorities are now examining whether overcrowding, poor ventilation, suffocation, exposure to hazardous substances or other medical conditions may have contributed to the deaths.

An intelligence assessment cited by international news reports reportedly pointed to overcrowding and poor ventilation as possible factors, but that assessment has not replaced the ongoing medical and forensic investigation.

The deaths have also renewed attention on the dangers associated with illegal mining in Niger State, which has significant mineral deposits and a large population of artisanal miners.

The government’s enforcement operations were aimed at suspected illegal mining activities, but the investigation into the deaths is a separate matter. The fact that the detainees were suspected of illegal mining does not remove their right to humane treatment while in custody.

President Tinubu specifically stated that enforcement of the law must itself be conducted within the law and with respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of people in government custody.

As investigations continue, key questions remain about the exact number of people detained, the capacity and condition of the cell, the sequence of events before the deaths, the medical response provided to the detainees and the identity of any substance allegedly sprayed inside the facility.

The survivor’s allegation remains unproven pending laboratory, forensic and medical findings.

The outcome of the ongoing investigations and autopsies is expected to establish the immediate and underlying causes of the 37 deaths in NSCDC custody and determine whether any individuals or institutions should face administrative or criminal responsibility.

Niger Miners’ Deaths: Survivor Alleges Substance Was Sprayed in Cell as Probe Intensifies

Tinubu Orders Full Probe Into 37 Miners’ Deaths in NSCDC Custody

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, saying the suspension of officers is only an administrative measure and will not replace criminal prosecution where evidence establishes wrongdoing.

The President’s directive followed growing public concern and protests over the deaths, which occurred after the victims were arrested during enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining in parts of Minna.

Tinubu said no Nigerian should lose their life in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty, stressing that people suspected of illegal mining retain their rights to life, dignity and humane treatment while in custody.

The victims were among scores of people arrested during operations conducted on September 15 and 16 around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna. The NSCDC said the operation was aimed at enforcing government measures against illegal mining and addressing concerns over mining activities affecting farmland and residential areas.

The NSCDC Niger State Command initially said some of the detainees were found dead in the early hours of September 17 following what it described as a suspected disease outbreak.

However, the corps has stressed that the actual cause of death has not been established and that medical and laboratory examinations are required before any conclusion can be reached.

The bodies were taken to the General Hospital in Minna for medical examination and autopsies, while the police and other authorities have commenced separate investigations.

Tinubu directed investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the number of people held at the facility, the detention conditions, medical attention provided to them and the events leading to their deaths.

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He also ordered the Ministry of Interior and NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with all relevant investigative authorities and ensure that no officer interferes with the process.

The President specifically said the suspension of officers involved must not be regarded as a substitute for determining criminal responsibility.

Where investigations establish that an official contributed to the deaths through action, abuse or negligence, Tinubu directed that the person should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Federal Government had already suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following the incident.

Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ordered the suspension and directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The NSCDC Commandant-General, Professor Ahmed Audi, also constituted an investigative team headed by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of intelligence and investigation.

The team is expected to examine the condition of the detainees when they were arrested, the period they spent in custody, the conditions under which they were detained and the medical attention they received.

The NSCDC has said it will refrain from speculating on the cause of death until the medical examination is completed.

The controversy has been heightened by accounts from survivors and relatives of the victims.

A survivor identified as Dauda Shehu told the Associated Press that about 65 detainees were packed into a poorly ventilated cell and that those inside struggled to breathe before several people died.

Another survivor alleged that a substance was sprayed inside the cell before people began collapsing.

Those accounts have not established the cause of death, and authorities have not confirmed the allegations. The medical and forensic investigations are expected to determine whether overcrowding, ventilation problems, illness, exposure to a hazardous substance or another factor contributed to the deaths.

The deaths have also prompted calls for an independent investigation from Amnesty International, which said the victims included minors and urged authorities to establish how the detention of the suspects resulted in the deaths.

The organisation called for a prompt, thorough, independent, impartial and transparent investigation and said anyone found responsible should face justice.

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The incident has also triggered protests in Minna, with residents and relatives demanding answers over the deaths.

Security forces were deployed as protesters gathered around government and NSCDC facilities. Reports said police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators, while other reports indicated clashes and damage to property during the unrest.

The Niger State Government subsequently imposed a 24-hour curfew in Minna following the protests and reported destruction of public and private property.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago also suspended mining activities across the state as part of measures announced in response to the incident and wider security concerns.

The governor had earlier declared three days of mourning for the victims and constituted a committee of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Bago said the committee would work with medical and forensic experts to establish what happened, cautioning against reaching conclusions before the completion of the examinations.

The state government is also compiling information on the deceased to assist with identification and contact with their families.

The Nigeria Police Force has opened a separate investigation into the deaths.

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has visited Niger State as part of efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. The police have urged relatives of the deceased and members of the public with credible information to cooperate with investigators.

The Federal Government has also deployed a team to Niger State to assist with the investigation.

The tragedy has raised broader concerns about custodial conditions, detention procedures and accountability within security agencies, particularly where suspects are detained during enforcement operations.

The incident has also renewed debate about the enforcement of the government’s campaign against illegal mining.

Authorities have intensified operations against unlicensed mining in several parts of Nigeria, citing environmental degradation, destruction of farmland and concerns that illegal mining networks can provide financial support to armed criminal groups.

The Tinubu administration has maintained that the fight against illegal mining will continue, but the President has stressed that enforcement agencies must operate within the law.

He said the government must not allow the pursuit of one form of illegality to create another violation.

The President’s position is that suspected illegal miners must be subjected to due process and humane treatment regardless of the allegations against them.

Meanwhile, the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unresolved.

The NSCDC’s initial reference to a suspected disease outbreak has not been established as the cause, while survivor accounts have raised questions about overcrowding and ventilation.

There have also been allegations of exposure to an unidentified substance, but these remain unverified.

The results of the autopsies, medical examinations and forensic investigations will therefore be crucial in establishing what happened to the detainees and determining whether any individual or institution bears responsibility.

The tragedy has also prompted calls for the identities and detention records of the victims to be made public and for families to receive appropriate support if wrongdoing is established.

President Tinubu has extended condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm, assuring affected communities that the Federal Government will pursue the truth and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.

The President has made clear that the suspension of the NSCDC commandant is not the final step.

If the investigations establish criminal responsibility, those found culpable are expected to face prosecution, while the findings could also lead to further administrative or institutional measures concerning NSCDC detention practices and the treatment of suspects in custody.

Tinubu Orders Full Probe Into 37 Miners’ Deaths in NSCDC Custody

Xenophobia: FG Brings 33 More Nigerians Home From South Africa

The Federal Government has facilitated the return of another 33 distressed Nigerians from South Africa, bringing to 1,716 the number of Nigerians repatriated under the ongoing consular evacuation exercise since June 10, 2026.

The latest group, comprising 17 adults and 16 minors, arrived in Nigeria aboard South African Airways flight SA060 at about 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16.

Officials of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other government agencies received the returnees upon arrival.

The latest operation is the 12th consular evacuation from South Africa since the exercise began in June, as the Nigerian government continues efforts to assist citizens who have become distressed or vulnerable in the country.

According to the government, it has fully funded the evacuation of 1,388 Nigerians, representing about 81 per cent of the total number repatriated so far.

The latest batch was supported through private funding initiatives involving Nigerian organisations and individuals.

The Private Nigerian Group of Business Friends (PNGBF) funded the return of 26 of the 33 Nigerians, while the Nigerian Lawyers Association in South Africa (NLASA) supported five others. A private citizen from Bayelsa State also funded the return of three Bayelsa indigenes.

Another 28 Nigerians were recently assisted to return home by the Igbo Lawyers Association South Africa.

The continued repatriation comes amid growing concerns over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks involving Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

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The Federal Government has said it is concerned about the safety and security of Nigerians living in the country and has raised the issue at regional and continental levels, including with the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

The government has also indicated that it is considering further measures to secure stronger cooperation from South African authorities in addressing attacks and protecting the rights and dignity of Nigerians in the country.

The latest evacuation also follows reports of the deaths of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa earlier in September.

The Nigerian Foreign Ministry identified the victims as James Uchechukwu Nwankwo, who died in Cape Town on September 5 following what Nigerian authorities described as alleged abusive interrogation by South African police officers, and Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, who was killed at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, on September 4.

The circumstances surrounding both deaths have generated concern in Nigeria, with authorities calling for appropriate investigations and accountability.

The incidents have further strained concerns surrounding Nigeria-South Africa relations, particularly over the safety of Nigerians living and doing business in South Africa.

Nigeria’s National Assembly has also suspended official visits to South Africa and boycotted legislative activities hosted by the South African Parliament amid concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other bilateral issues.

The Federal Government has meanwhile urged Nigerians still living in South Africa to remain vigilant, obey local laws and maintain contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg whenever they require consular assistance.

The government has also appealed to state governments to complement its efforts by assisting their indigenes who want to return home.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu said some Nigerians returning from South Africa had been forced to leave behind properties, businesses and other livelihoods because of the difficult circumstances they faced.

She has also commended state governments and private organisations supporting Nigerians returning to the country.

Among them is the Enugu State Government, which recently received 77 families comprising 112 indigenes returning from South Africa and provided financial assistance to help them rebuild their lives.

Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, has also said that more than 1,600 Nigerians had returned through government sponsorship and various private interventions.

Ajayi noted that the challenges affecting Nigerians in South Africa extend beyond xenophobic attacks, explaining that some Nigerians who entered the country legally later encountered difficulties with residence documentation because of delays within the immigration system.

The Federal Government has continued diplomatic engagement with South African authorities while supporting Nigerians who voluntarily seek to return home.

The arrival of the latest 33 returnees brings the total number repatriated since June 10 to 1,716, highlighting the scale of the ongoing government and community response to concerns affecting Nigerians in South Africa.

The government is expected to continue monitoring the situation while pursuing diplomatic measures aimed at improving the safety and welfare of Nigerians who remain in the country.

Xenophobia: FG Brings 33 More Nigerians Home From South Africa