On Thursday, authorities in Minna the capital of Niger State, discovered 37 bodies inside a cell held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Most of the victims were teenagers aged 14 to 18 who had been working in illegal gold mining operations rather than attending school. Governor Umar Bago confirmed the death toll and announced three days of mourning, while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered a full investigation.
What led to the tragedy?
The NSCDC had conducted raids on suspected illegal mines in the Wushishi-Lukoto area on 15 and 16 September. Detainees were locked in a single, poorly ventilated cell without any means of fresh air. Survivor Dauda Shehu told reporters, “We were jam-packed in the cell, no ventilation for us to breathe well. All of a sudden we realised that we could not breathe and we were all scampering for where to get fresh air, we even appealed to them several times, banged the cell door, but they refused to answer us.” An unnamed survivor added that he survived because he was near the entrance where air could still circulate.
Official responses and investigations
Initially, the NSCDC suggested a disease outbreak might have caused the deaths. However, an intelligence briefing indicated that extreme overcrowding and lack of ventilation were the primary factors. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo immediately suspended the state’s NSCDC commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye pending the outcome of a forensic inquiry. President Tinubu emphasized that negligence or abuse in custody will not be tolerated, stating that any officer found responsible must be prosecuted.
Public reaction and curfew enforcement
News of the deaths ignited outrage across Minna. On Thursday evening, families of the victims and other miners gathered near the NSCDC headquarters, demanding answers. By Friday, the protest had swollen to dozens of youths, some brandishing sticks, machetes and traditional hunting rifles. Security forces responded with teargas and, according to eyewitnesses, live rounds. One protester, miner Yusuf Auwal told reporters, “We are not thieves – we are simply seeking a way to make a living by mining.” The unrest escalated when a few demonstrators attempted to set fire to government buildings in the Tunga neighbourhood.
As the evening approached, officials announced an overnight curfew to begin at 6 p.m. local time (1700 GMT). Police and soldiers patrolled the streets, and by the curfew’s start order, the situation appeared temporarily contained. Nevertheless, the sight of bodies lying in the open, volunteers in gloves covering the deceased, and veiled women searching for relatives underscored the deep trauma felt by the community.
Broader context of illegal mining in Niger State
Niger State, more than twice the size of Belgium, sits on vast reserves of gold, tantalite, copper and lithium. The lure of quick cash draws thousands of artisanal miners, many of whom operate without permits. Criminal gangs often extort a levy from these miners and facilitate the smuggling of extracted ore, primarily to the United Arab Emirates where it enters the global supply chain spanning Europe, the US, Asia and South Africa. A 2024 Swissaid report highlighted this illicit network, linking it to broader security challenges and environmental degradation.
The deaths in Minna have amplified calls for stricter regulation of mining activities, better protection for vulnerable youths, and transparent oversight of security forces. While the federal investigation proceeds, families and activists continue to demand accountability and an end to the deadly conditions that turned a detention cell into a tomb.
