The names of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State have been released.

The victims were reportedly arrested during anti-illegal mining operations conducted by the NSCDC across the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.

Their deaths on September 17, shortly after their arrest, have sparked public concern, protests and calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The NSCDC had said the suspects died following a suspected disease outbreak. The corps added that the bodies were deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to determine the actual cause of death.

Following protests by youths over the incident, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state on Friday.

The governor also said some survivors had been taken to hospital for treatment, while others were reunited with their families after the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) took their statements.

The deceased were identified as:

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
Aro Salihu Soba

37 Suspected Illegal Miners Who Died in NSCDC Custody Identified

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