A tragic incident unfolded in Minna, the capital of Niger State, Nigeria, in mid-September 2026, when 37 young miners, mostly children, died in custody. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had carried out a raid against illegal mining in the area, arresting several children. The next morning, many of the detainees were found dead, with the NSCDC attributing the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many Nigerians demanding answers. Governor Umaru Bago confirmed that many of the dead were children between 14 and 18 years old, who were working in mining pits instead of attending school. Witnesses and grieving families reported that some of the children were as young as seven. The International Human Rights Commission revealed that the victims were poor children from the neighborhood and displaced persons from insecure areas trying to make a living.
There are conflicting accounts of what led to the deaths. The NSCDC stated that a suspected disease outbreak was the cause, while survivors and families of the victims reported overcrowding, unbearable heat, and a lack of air in the cell. Detainees were allegedly crammed into a small room with poor ventilation, leading to a struggle for space and breath. Some survivors reported that their cries for help were ignored, and several collapsed, with many dying by morning.
A survivor, Dauda Shehu, recounted his experience from his hospital bed, describing the unbearable heat and overcrowding. He questioned the official figures, asking where the others among the 65 people who had been locked inside with him were. Parents and relatives reported that they had completed steps towards securing the release of their children on bail, only to be refused or allegedly asked for large sums of money.
The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of citizens in detention by Nigerian security agencies. The state owes a duty of care to every person in detention, and the circumstances surrounding the deaths raise serious concerns about cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The government has been called upon to investigate the incident and provide answers to the families of the victims.
Protests erupted in the city, with hundreds demanding justice and compensation. The state imposed a curfew, and police used live rounds to disperse the protesters. Parents demanded independent autopsies, the release of the bodies, and prosecution. The incident has highlighted the need for improved treatment of detainees and accountability within the Nigerian security agencies.
The Minna tragedy has sparked a national outcry, with many calling for an end to the pattern of official opacity and delayed responses to custodial deaths in Nigeria. The government has been urged to take concrete steps to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Key points
- 37 young miners died in custody in Minna, Nigeria.
- The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of citizens in detention by Nigerian security agencies.
- Protests have erupted in the city, with demands for justice, compensation, and accountability.
