Residents of Niger state have taken to the streets to demand justice over the deaths of suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The protests, which began in Minna on Thursday night and continued on Friday, were reported in Tunga, Maitumbi and along Bosso Road, with youths chanting “Justice must be done” as anger grew over the deaths.
Footage reviewed by TheCable showed protesters destroying some campaign posters and damaging government property, while some vehicles were also reportedly damaged during the unrest.
Other videos reviewed by TheCable showed police officers firing what appeared to be live rounds at protesters, although the circumstances surrounding the shooting were not immediately clear.
The protests followed an announcement by the NSCDC that scores of suspected illegal miners arrested during operations in Niger had died in custody.
Suberu Aniviye, NSCDC commandant in Niger, said the suspects were arrested during operations conducted on September 15 and 16 as part of efforts to rid the state of illegal mining activities.
He said the operation resulted in the arrest of suspected illegal miners and the recovery of various exhibits, but that scores of those detained were later found dead.
“Niger State Command, in its renewed efforts to rid the state of illegal mining activities, conducted a ‘burst operation’ on 15th and 16th September, 2026, leading to the arrest of suspected illegal miners and the recovery of exhibits,” the statement reads.
“The operation yielded significant results, with scores of suspected illegal miners arrested and various exhibits recovered.
“However, in the early hours of 17th September, 2026, scores of the detained suspects were found dead, following a suspected outbreak of disease.
“The corpses of the deceased suspects have since been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for further medical examination to establish the actual cause of death.”
The NSCDC’s account has, however, been disputed by relatives of some of the deceased, who accused officers of keeping the detainees in an overcrowded cell despite warnings that some of them were critically ill.
The relatives said more than 30 detainees died overnight after being arrested at a gold-mining site, while some survivors were taken to hospitals for treatment.
Ibrahim Muhammad, whose brother was among those who died, said the victims had gone to the mining site to earn a living and questioned why they were arrested and subsequently died in custody.
“What happened was that we woke up in the morning only to hear that they had killed our brothers. For what reason would they kill our brothers?” Muhammad asked.
“They went there simply to earn a living, and they were killed. We want the government to ensure justice is served regarding this terrible injustice that has happened to us.”
Abdullahi, the father of another victim, said his son was among the miners arrested three days earlier and alleged that the family attempted to secure his release but was unsuccessful.
“My son goes to Zinari. He was arrested by the Civil Defence Corps three days ago. We did everything we could to get him released, but they refused,” Abdullahi said.
“He did nothing wrong; he only went to mine gold. The site is not illegal. What happened was a pure act of injustice.
“Yesterday, we visited him, and he was alive and healthy. Today, he is dead. I saw my son among the bodies. We want them to give us his remains so we can conduct his funeral.”
Another relative alleged that the detainees had been confined in a cell that was too small to accommodate the number of people inside.
“We had already warned the officers that the cell was too small for them. We even tried to break the door down, but it wouldn’t break,” the relative said.
“We informed the guards that our relatives were dying inside, but they thought we were lying.”
The relative put the death toll at at least 33, saying he personally saw about 30 bodies, while some of those who survived were receiving treatment in hospitals.
“At least 33 people have died. I saw 30 dead bodies with my own eyes. We suspect that they all died while in custody,” he said.
Another relative, who said his nephew was among the victims, accused the NSCDC of preventing families from taking possession of the remains.
“He is my brother’s son, and they killed him. They killed him while he was working hard to earn an honest living,” he said.
“They must give us our son. We do not agree to leave his body in the mortuary. They told us they would not release the bodies to us.”
A woman who identified herself as the grandmother of another victim also appealed to authorities to release the remains to the families so they could be buried.
“My grandson is also among the victims. He was arrested at the secretariat where they went to do gold work,” she said.
“They did nothing wrong. I only just heard the news that he was among them, and I was told he is already dead.
“Let them give us our deceased relatives so that we can give them a proper funeral.”
