Tinubu Orders Prosecution Over Deaths of Miners in Niger Custody

General9 sourcesSep 18, 2026

ConsensusFactual rigor 56/100

The Story

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

He directed that officials found to have contributed to the deaths be arrested and prosecuted. The reported deaths are a grave matter requiring urgent investigation and accountability, Tinubu stated in a release from his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The President emphasized that the life of every Nigerian matters and no citizen should die in government custody due to negligence, abuse, or inhumane treatment.

The investigation will cover the circumstances of arrests, conditions of detainees, medical attention provided, and events leading to their deaths. The Federal Government will continue to combat illegal mining, but enforcement operations must respect the rights of those in custody. Niger State Governor Umar Bago confirmed 37 suspected illegal miners died in custody after being arrested on September 15 and 16.

The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, deployed a team to Niger State to investigate. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called for an independent, thorough, and transparent investigation, demanding accountability for anyone found responsible through action, abuse, or negligence.

The African Democratic Congress also demanded an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation, along with autopsies and compensation for families. The Niger State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew across Minna and suspended all mining activities in the state. The actual cause of the deaths has not yet been established, with forensic examinations, medical assessments, and autopsies being conducted.

What they agree on

Thirty-seven suspected illegal miners died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
The suspected miners were arrested on September 15 and 16 during NSCDC enforcement operations.
The Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, has been suspended.
Investigations into the deaths are underway.
The cause of the deaths has not yet been officially established.

Where they split

President Bola Tinubu ordered a full and transparent investigation and prosecution of officials, while Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress also demanded independent, thorough, and transparent investigations and accountability.
The number of deceased miners is reported as 37 by Governor Umar Bago and most sources, but Atiku Abubakar mentioned 40 in one statement, and the NSCDC initially referred to 'scores' of deaths.
The Niger State government imposed a 24-hour curfew and suspended mining activities, a measure not explicitly detailed in all reports.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, deployed a specific team to investigate, a detail not mentioned in all accounts of the federal response.