Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago revealed that the bodies of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) showed signs of chemical or poisonous exposure. The deaths were discovered in the early hours of 17 September 2026, after the miners were arrested during NSCDC operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State.
According to Bago, the 37 victims were held in the last of three adjacent cells, while the first two cells contained no deaths. “Looking at the corpses, you can see skin peeling, foam coming from their mouths, and blood around their noses, mouths, and ears,” the governor said, noting that the condition of the bodies raised concerns about possible exposure to chemicals or highly poisonous substances.
Investigations are still underway and medical examinations have yet to determine the exact cause of death. The NSCDC had initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but later clarified that the cause had not been established and that laboratory tests were required.
Some of the surviving detainees have been discharged and reunited with their families after giving statements to the police or the Department of State Services and undergoing medical tests. Others remain in hospital receiving treatment for dehydration and malnutrition. “A few are still in the hospital, and we are hopeful they will be reunited with their families this week after receiving treatment,” Bago said.
The state government has begun work to support the affected families, including a prayer session at the Central Mosque on 18 September 2026. “Tomorrow at 2 p.m., there will be a prayer at the Central Mosque, where all the families will gather in memory of those who died,” the governor announced. Officials are also considering compensation for the deceased and their families.
In a broader context, Bago linked the incident to the need for stronger regulation and safety standards in the mining sector. “Responsible mining entails a lot of things. First, it means having a standard system where age is taken into consideration, so that children cannot simply pick up a shovel and be allowed to start digging the ground,” he said. He called for greater oversight of mineral buyers and clearer responsibilities for state authorities.
Investigations continue to establish what caused the deaths and the circumstances surrounding the detention of the miners.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
