Death of 37 Suspected Miners in Minna: Rights Activist Demands Answers
The tragic death of 37 suspected artisanal miners in a detention centre in Minna, north-central Nigeria, has put the country’s law enforcement on a fresh spotlight as the country’s human rights community demands a thorough investigation.
Prominent human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, ESQ, has strongly condemned the incident.
Labeling the mass casualties a “crime against humanity,” Adeyanju has called for an independent investigation and the swift prosecution of all state actors involved.
The tragedy, which occurred between September 16 and 17, 2026, while the suspects were in the custody of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has triggered widespread public outrage, localized protests in Minna, and the immediate suspension of the state’s top security officials.
“A Truly Sad Day For Nigeria”
In a scathing press statement released on Friday, Adeyanju expressed profound grief over the incident and emphasized that the loss of life under state supervision violates both domestic laws and international human rights conventions.
“The death of 37 suspected miners, including reportedly minors, in the custody of the NSCDC in Minna is deeply tragic and a sad day for Nigeria,” Adeyanju stated. “This is a crime against humanity, and perpetrators must face prosecution swiftly. It is unacceptable that people in state custody should die in such circumstances.”
The legal practitioner further reminded authorities that even during active warfare, international humanitarian law strictly mandates the humane treatment of any individual deprived of their liberty.
Adeyanju Rejects “Disease Outbreak” Narrative
Initial reports from the Niger State NSCDC command suggested that the detainees died rapidly due to a sudden and highly contagious disease outbreak within the facility. However, Adeyanju has forcefully rejected these claims, warning the public and authorities not to accept official narratives without rigorous, verifiable proof.
“The claim that 37 persons died from a disease outbreak must not be accepted without a credible, independent, and transparent investigation,” he argued. Raising critical questions about the timeline of events, he asked, “What happened when people first began falling ill? What medical attention did they receive? Where is the evidence?”
The activist insisted that accountability must be absolute, regardless of whether the deaths were caused by active malice or institutional failure. “Those responsible for this senseless killing of Nigerians, whether through unlawful acts, torture, deliberate mistreatment, or criminal negligence, must be held accountable,” Adeyanju insisted.
Background: Crowding, Suffocation, and Claims of Extortion
The crisis unfolded following a series of aggressive “burst operations” conducted by the NSCDC at local artisanal mining sites in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto villages near Minna.
Dozens of individuals were swept up in the raid, including teenagers and internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are said to have previously fled banditry in the Shiroro Local Government Area.
While the now-suspended Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, initially blamed a potential diphtheria or contagious disease outbreak, accounts from survivors and grieving relatives presented a vastly different picture.
According to inside sources and surviving detainees, over 65 individuals were packed tightly into a single, poorly ventilated detention cell. Survivors alleged that they began suffocating from extreme heat and dehydration, with some forced to drink urine to survive. Despite their repeated screams for help, facility guards allegedly ignored them.
Furthermore, relatives of the deceased have come forward alleging extortion, claiming that NSCDC officers demanded up to ₦500,000 in bail fees per person before the mass casualties were discovered.
State Government Reacts Amid Mounting Pressure
In response to the escalating crisis, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago described the incident as “sad and tragic,” subsequently declaring three days of state mourning and suspending all ongoing political campaigns.
Under immense pressure from civil society organizations, including the Federal Government, the immediate suspension and detention of Commandant Suberu Aniviye was ordered.
The Niger State Commissioner of Police has officially ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to take over the case. Comprehensive medical autopsies are currently underway at the General Hospital, Minna, to establish the definitive cause of death as the nation awaits the findings of the probe.
