Investigation Reveals 33 Miners Died in Custody of Nigerian Security Agency

An independent committee investigating the deaths of detainees in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State has identified 33 deceased individuals. This includes children aged 11 and 12. The committee compiled a master register that lists the names, ages, arrest dates, and causes of death for each person.

The youngest victim was identified as Uzaifa Aliyu, aged 11. The committee’s findings show that the deaths occurred between September 16 and 17, 2026, at the NSCDC facility in Minna. The report attributes the deaths primarily to acute hypoxic respiratory failure, which is a lack of oxygen due to environmental conditions, worsened by heat and dehydration in an overcrowded cell.

Among the deceased, three individuals had environmental asphyxia noted as a possible cause of death. They were Emmanuel Emeka, Kabiru Suleiman, and Idris Haruna. Their post-mortem examinations were conducted on September 21, while the other 30 detainees were recorded as buried without post-mortem examinations, leading to undetermined causes of death.

The committee’s report raises serious concerns about the treatment of detainees and the conditions within the NSCDC facility. The investigation continues as families seek answers about the circumstances surrounding these tragic deaths.