The Niger State Police Command has commenced investigation into the deaths of scores of suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Niger State Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, following the incident in which several persons arrested over alleged illegal mining activities were found dead in custody.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman,ordered the immediate commencement of investigation into the deaths, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, to take charge of the probe.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday, when the suspected illegal miners were found dead at an NSCDC detention facility in the state.
The Police Command said the investigation would seek to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths and establish the cause of the incident.
Elleman called on family members, relatives and members of the public with credible information that could assist the investigation to approach the SCID in Minna and provide such details.
He also urged residents, relatives and acquaintances of the victims to remain calm, law-abiding and cooperate with the investigative process, assured that no stone would be left unturned in establishing what led to the deaths.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to upholding human rights provisions and ensuring accountability in the discharge of statutory responsibilities by law enforcement agencies.
