Outrage in Nigeria as 33 Miners Die in Paramilitary Custody

WHO:

CNN - Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) is the paramilitary agency involved.

CNN - Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ordered the suspension of Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, the commandant of Niger State’s NSCDC.

WHAT:

CNN - Reuters filmed 33 bodies laid out in a ward at the General Hospital in Minna after they were found dead in custody.

CNN - By Friday morning, the city of Minna was calm, but security forces had been heavily deployed across parts of the city.

CNN - At least 33 detainees were found dead in custody.

ABC News World - The detainees were arrested for alleged illegal mining.

CNN - Protests erupted in Minna, with youths chanting “Justice must be done” and some protesters damaging vehicles.

WHERE:

CNN - The incident occurred in Minna, the capital of Niger State, Nigeria.

CNN - The raids took place in the Wushishi-Lukoto area west of Minna.

WHEN:

CNN - The detainees were held during raids on September 15 to 16.

CNN - Protests occurred overnight following the discovery of the bodies.

WHY:

CNN - Nigeria has tried for years to curb illegal mining at thousands of informal sites that operate across the country, citing environmental damage and losses of government revenue as key concerns.

CNN - The NSCDC initially suggested a suspected disease outbreak may have been involved in the deaths, but later stated the cause of death had not been established.

HOW:

CNN - The NSCDC conducted raids on suspected illegal gold mines leading to the arrests.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 11:58 UTC)

In a tragic development, Reuters has reported that 33 bodies were discovered in a ward at the General Hospital in Minna after being found dead in custody. While the city of Minna was reported to be calm by Friday morning, security forces have been heavily deployed throughout various parts of the city. Nigeria has been grappling with the challenge of illegal mining at numerous informal sites, highlighting concerns over environmental damage and significant losses in government revenue.

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(UPDATED September 18, 2026 10:58 UTC)

In a tragic incident in Minna, the capital of Niger State, Nigeria, at least 33 detainees arrested for alleged illegal mining were found dead in custody, prompting widespread protests with chants of “Justice must be done.” The Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered the suspension of Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, the commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, which conducted the raids leading to the arrests. While the NSCDC initially suggested a possible disease outbreak as a cause of death, they later stated that the exact cause remains unestablished.