The identities of the 37 suspected miners who tragically died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State have been officially released.
The victims were among dozens of individuals arrested during anti-illegal mining enforcement operations conducted across the state between September 15 and 16, 2026. By the early hours of September 17, 37 detainees were discovered dead inside the custody facility, with reports indicating many were found foaming at the mouth.
Disease claims spark public outrage and state curfew
The NSCDC initially attributed the sudden deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, confirming that the remains had been transferred to the General Hospital in Minna for post-mortem medical examinations.
However, the agency’s explanation prompted severe public backlash and sparked youth-led protests across Minna.
In response to the growing civil unrest, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew on Friday, September 17, to restore public order.
Governor Bago further disclosed that surviving detainees received medical care at local health facilities, while joint statements were recorded by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) prior to releasing cleared survivors to their families.
Full list of deceased victims
The official list containing the names of the 37 victims who died in custody includes:
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
