What Actually Killed 38 Arrested Miners in NSCDC Custody

On September 17th, 18th, 2026 the unfortunate massive deaths of 38 arrested illegal miners at the  M.I Wushishi Mining site hits the news wave with a shiveringg shock.

More than 50 people though some insider reports specifying over 60 individuals were arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) before the custodial tragedy occurred in Minna, Niger State.

The suspended commandant while answering questions at the Justice Mohammed Mohammed-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Niger State government had said that the operation that led to the arrest and subsequent death of the miners was based on a petition from  residents of the M. I. Wushishi Estate in Minna on the encroachment of illegal miners on the estate.

It has however been revealed that dehydration was cause of the death of the detained miners, the panel constituted to investigate the deaths of alleged illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, has stated.

The chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure, while presenting the report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday, , said the miners suffered acute respiratory failure.

He also corrected the earlier reports that 37 miners died in custódy, saying 33 miners were confirmed dead.

He said the miners collapsed after calling for water and were ignored by the personnel of the NSCDC.

He added that the detention room was overcrowded and poorly ventilated.

He said the miners were illegally arrested and detained, stressing that they were all detained beyond the legally allowed period.

Part of the panel’s report called for a total reform of the NSCDC as well as solicited compensation for the victims.