By Palang Paul
Amnesty International Nigeria has called for an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
The Organisation made the call on Friday 18 September 2026, through its official Facebook page.
The victims were arrested on September 15 and 16, 2026, during NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto axis of Minna. The deaths were discovered in the early hours of Thursday, September 17.
Amnesty said some of those who died were youths, including minors, and urged the Nigerian authorities to establish independently and transparently how the detainees died after spending between one and two days in custody.
“The Nigerian authorities must immediately set up an independent investigation,” Amnesty said, stressing that the loss of lives “cannot go unanswered.”
The rights organisation called for a prompt, thorough, independent, impartial and effective investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the conditions in which the victims were detained and the events leading to their deaths.
It also said anyone found responsible should face justice rather than merely internal or administrative sanctions.
The NSCDC initially said the detainees were found dead following a suspected outbreak of disease, but stressed that the actual cause of death had not been established and that medical examinations were being conducted. The bodies were deposited at the General Hospital, Minna.
The Corps has since constituted a high-powered investigative team to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, their period in custody, detention conditions and medical attention provided.
The Nigeria Police Force has also ordered an investigation into the incident, while the Federal Government has suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending investigation.
Amnesty further called on the authorities to ensure that the victims and their families have access to justice and effective remedies.
“The authorities must ensure justice for the victims of this horrific yet preventable incident,” the organisation said.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain subject to investigation and medical examination.
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