The Federation of Nigerian Mining Host Communities in Nigeria (FNMHC) has called for an independent, transparent and comprehensive investigation into the deaths of 37 persons who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

In a Press Statement made available to SkyDNews on Saturday, September 19, 2026, the federation expressed “grave concern” over the deaths, which followed the arrest of suspected illegal miners during enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna.

The statement was signed by Dr. Temitope Olaifa, Co-Chair, Federation of Nigerian Mining Host Communities, and Alh. Abubakar Wushishi, Co-Chair of the federation. According to the organisation, the victims were reportedly arrested on September 15 and 16 during NSCDC operations and subsequently detained at an NSCDC facility in Minna. Their deaths were discovered in the early hours of September 17.

The FNMHC said it was particularly concerned by the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the initial explanation attributed to the NSCDC state command, which reportedly linked the fatalities to a suspected disease outbreak.

However, the federation acknowledged the subsequent position of the NSCDC national headquarters that the actual cause of death had not been established and that an investigative team had been constituted to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Niger State Police Command has also commenced an investigation, while the Niger State Government has announced an inquiry into the deaths. The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending investigation.

The FNMHC said the scale of the incident required an investigation capable of establishing individual and institutional responsibility.

“While these steps are necessary, an incident in which 37 people lose their lives within two days in state custody demands an investigation that is independent, transparent, comprehensive, and capable of establishing individual and institutional responsibility,” the federation stated.

FNMHC Raises Concerns Over Detention Conditions

The federation also argued that enforcement against unsafe and unregulated mining should not be limited to arrests and detention.

According to the organisation, authorities must also address the conditions that allow dangerous and informal mining activities to persist, while ensuring that mining operations are subject to appropriate safety, environmental and human rights protections.

The FNMHC stressed that persons suspected of illegal mining remain entitled to the protection of the law.

“Arrest and detention do not suspend the state's obligation to protect life and human dignity,” it stated.

The organisation further expressed concern over reports that some of those who died were minors.

It also referred to allegations by relatives of detainees that they were prevented from providing food to persons in detention and that officials allegedly demanded N100,000 for the release of individual detainees.

The FNMHC said the allegations should form part of the investigation, noting that they raise questions about the treatment of detainees, alleged extortion and the exercise of custodial authority.

Protest Response Also Under Scrutiny

The federation also raised concerns over the response of security personnel to protests that followed the deaths in Minna.

According to the statement, there were reports that force was used against protesters, including allegations that live ammunition was fired.

The organisation said the circumstances surrounding the deployment and use of force should be independently investigated and assessed against applicable laws and standards governing policing and public assemblies.

Reports from Minna indicate that protests erupted following the deaths, with security forces deployed as tensions escalated.

Authorities subsequently imposed a curfew in parts of the state capital. Reports have differed on the nature of ammunition used during the clashes, while investigations into the incident remain ongoing.

 

FNMHC Lists Six Demands

The Federation of Nigerian Mining Host Communities called for six key measures in response to the incident.

1. Independent investigation and forensic determination - The federation called for an independent investigation and full forensic determination of the cause and manner of death. It said authorities should preserve and examine all available evidence from the time of the victims' arrest through their detention and the discovery of their bodies.

2. Accountability at every level - The organisation said the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant should be regarded as an initial administrative step and should not prevent further accountability if wrongdoing is established.

3. Investigation of alleged extortion - The FNMHC called for an independent investigation into allegations that relatives were prevented from supplying food to detainees and that money was demanded for their release.

4. Inquiry into the protest response - It also called for an independent inquiry into the deployment and use of force against protesters, including allegations concerning the use of live ammunition.

5. Justice and remedies for families - The federation said families of the deceased should receive clear information about what happened to their relatives and have access to relevant investigative findings and appropriate remedies where violations are established.

6. Protection of witnesses and evidence - The organisation urged authorities to protect witnesses, surviving detainees, relatives and community members from intimidation or threats and ensure they can safely cooperate with investigators.

 

‘Mourning Cannot Substitute for Accountability’

The FNMHC acknowledged the three-day mourning period declared by the Niger State Government and the measures announced by federal and state authorities.

However, it maintained that mourning should not replace efforts to establish what happened.

“Mourning cannot substitute for accountability,” the organisation stated, insisting that an investigation would not be complete unless it established how 37 people came to die in state custody and identified those responsible where wrongdoing is found.

 

The federation consequently called on the Federal Government, Niger State Government, NSCDC, Nigeria Police Force and other relevant authorities to conduct the investigation with independence, transparency and urgency.

“The families of the deceased, the affected mining communities and the Nigerian public deserve nothing less than the truth,” the statement concluded.

The deaths have generated widespread concern and prompted investigations by multiple authorities. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, said on Saturday that the police would work with the NSCDC and Niger State Government to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Meanwhile, the precise cause of the deaths remains under investigation. Public reports have raised questions about detention conditions, including overcrowding and ventilation, but authorities have not established a final cause.