More than 30 suspected illegal miners die in custody in Nigeria’s Niger State
Nigeria’s security authorities are investigating the deaths of at least 33 suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in custody in Niger State, with 24 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel being held as part of the investigation
The deaths have prompted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the miners’ deaths, while the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has assured that the process will be conducted with due process, transparency and accountability.
Audi said the 24 NSCDC personnel linked to the alleged misconduct had been taken into protective custody at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja, where they are undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary proceedings.
“In a swift and decisive joint operation conducted in conjunction with the Commandant General’s Special Investigation Squad (SIS), all officers and men of the Niger State Command linked to the gross misconduct have, since 17 September 2026, been taken into protective custody at the National Headquarters, Abuja, where they are undergoing rigorous interrogation and administrative disciplinary action, so as to make them available for the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution,” said Audi.
The investigation comes amid Nigeria’s wider efforts to tackle illegal mining and mineral trafficking, which authorities have identified as a challenge to the country’s mining sector.
Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa) has expressed its condolences to the families and communities affected by the deaths.
The organisation said while it supports efforts to tackle unlawful mining and mineral trafficking, enforcement should not undermine human rights or due process.
“We extend our condolences to the families and communities affected.
“At WiM-Africa, we strongly support efforts to combat unlawful mining, mineral trafficking and practices that undermine responsible mineral development. But enforcement must never come at the expense of human dignity, due process or the right to life.”
WiM-Africa said the incident also highlights the wider challenges surrounding artisanal and small-scale mining across Africa.
“This tragedy also reinforces a larger issue that Africa must confront: we cannot police our way out of informality in artisanal and small-scale mining.
“Through our Silent 15 of Bilalikoto initiative, WiM-Africa continues to call attention to preventable loss of life across Africa’s artisanal mining ecosystem, whether at mining sites or within the systems responsible for regulating and protecting miners,” the organisation said.
