Niger State: NSCDC Custody Deaths Probe After 37 Miners Die

• Thirty-seven miners died in an overcrowded Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) detention cell in Minna, Niger State, on September 17.
• The deaths followed raids by NSCDC mining marshals on September 15 and 16, 2026, at mining sites in the Wushishi-Lukoto area, where alleged illegal miners were arrested.
• Abdullahi Dantasidi, National President of the National Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Cooperative Society, expressed deep sorrow and called for a thorough investigation by the Nigeria Police Force.
• Dantasidi urged the government to prioritize the security and welfare of miners and to collaborate with artisanal miners, whom he described as vital contributors to the sector.
• He also called on President Bola Tinubu to focus more on the mining sector's potential for poverty reduction in Nigeria.

Abdullahi Dantasidi, who serves as the National President of the National Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Cooperative Society, has voiced deep sorrow over the deaths and expressed serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding them.

A recent incident in Niger State has led to profound sorrow and calls for immediate action following the discovery of 37 deceased miners. These individuals were found dead inside an overcrowded detention cell belonging to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna during the early hours of September 17. The tragic discovery came just days after NSCDC mining marshals conducted raids on September 15 and 16, 2026, targeting mining sites in the Wushishi-Lukoto area, situated west of Minna, the state capital.

During these operations, scores of individuals, identified by authorities as alleged illegal miners, were apprehended. The subsequent deaths of the 37 detainees in NSCDC custody have raised significant concerns regarding the conditions of detention and the conduct of security forces in Nigeria's mining sector. This Niger State mining marshals incident has drawn widespread attention to the welfare of those involved in artisanal mining.

Abdullahi Dantasidi, who serves as the National President of the National Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Cooperative Society, has voiced deep sorrow over the deaths and expressed serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding them. Speaking to newsmen in the Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on a Sunday, Dantasidi emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive investigation into the incident. He described the development as both painful and unfortunate, highlighting the significant loss not only to the families of the deceased but also to the broader mining sector and Nigeria as a whole.

Dantasidi specifically called upon the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a thorough inquiry into how the unfortunate event transpired and to ensure that all individuals found culpable are brought to justice. Beyond the immediate probe, he urged the federal government to implement measures that prioritize the security, welfare, and overall interests of miners across the country. He also extended his condolences to Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State and the families who lost loved ones in the incident, underscoring the gravity of these artisanal miners Nigeria detention deaths.

In his remarks, Abdullahi Dantasidi passionately argued for a re-evaluation of how artisanal miners are perceived and treated. He asserted that these miners are crucial contributors to the growth of the nation's mining sector, often acting as the 'first explorers' who independently and diligently uncover mineral resources. Dantasidi lamented the common practice of branding these individuals as 'illegal' and criticized their treatment, particularly their detention in cramped cells, which he suggested led to the Niger miners NSCDC custody deaths probe.

He stressed that without artisanal miners, the benefits of the mining sector would not be fully realized, advocating for a shift in approach from criminalization to collaboration. Dantasidi proposed that the government should work alongside these groups to achieve mutual benefits and implement incentives designed to maximize their productivity and output. Furthermore, he appealed to President Bola Tinubu to dedicate increased focus to the mining sector, recognizing its substantial potential to alleviate poverty in Nigeria. Dantasidi also holds the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dantasidi Group, a firm specializing in mining and investment that facilitates connections between Asian and African mining businesses and has interests in mineral processing.

This incident signals potential legal challenges and increased scrutiny regarding the conduct of security forces (NSCDC) in Nigeria's mining sector. Lawyers should advise clients on human rights compliance, detention protocols, and potential liabilities arising from interactions with law enforcement, particularly concerning artisanal miners and their welfare.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Online