A civil society group, the Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication, has expressed shock and sadness over the deaths of 37 suspected artisanal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State. The group says the young men were found dead in detention in the early hours of Thursday, September 17th, 2026, and insists that no Nigerian should die in government custody through negligence, overcrowding, abuse or inhumane treatment.

The suspects were arrested during enforcement operations around M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Minna on September 15th and 16th. The group welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s order for a full and transparent investigation, and his position that suspicion of illegal mining does not strip any citizen of the right to life and dignity. It also noted the suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and his team, but said suspension is only an administrative step and must not replace criminal responsibility.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Ambassador Abdurrahman Akindele Ayuba, the group made three demands. First, the investigations must be independent and cover the circumstances of the arrests, the number of persons held in one cell, the conditions of detention, the medical attention provided, and what led to the deaths. Forensic pathologists, the National Human Rights Commission and civil society observers must be part of the teams. Second, any official found responsible through abuse, negligence or unlawful conduct must be arrested and prosecuted without delay.

Third, the group asked the Federal and Niger State Governments to give immediate compensation, trauma support and livelihood assistance to the bereaved families, saying many of the dead were breadwinners driven into mining by poverty. It also called for the bodies at the General Hospital, Minna, to be released to their families for dignified burial. Quoting the President, the group said government must enforce the law firmly, but must also obey the law. It added that it will monitor the case until justice is served.