Tension gripped Minna, Niger State, on Thursday as families of detained artisanal miners demanded answers after several suspects died in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps custody, triggering street protests across parts of the state capital.
The protesters blocked major roads around Maitumbi, Tudun Natsira, Berger and Tunga, disrupting traffic and business activities as they demanded an explanation for what happened to their relatives after their arrest at mining sites.
The NSCDC confirmed that “scores” of detained suspects had died but attributed the deaths to a suspected outbreak of disease, leaving unanswered questions over the exact number of victims, when the illness began and whether the deceased contracted it before or after their arrest.
The controversy deepened as some relatives alleged that about 34 detainees had died in custody. That figure could not be independently verified as of press time.
The families said they were informed of the deaths only after their relatives had been detained, accusing the security agency of failing to provide adequate information about their condition.
The development has heightened tension between security authorities and artisanal miners in Minna, coming about two weeks after a Civil Defence officer was reportedly shot dead during an attempt to arrest miners.
Following the incident, the NSCDC launched intensified operations against illegal mining sites in and around the state capital.
The latest operation led to the arrest of scores of suspected illegal miners and the recovery of various exhibits, according to the command.
But the operation took a dramatic turn when the NSCDC said several detainees were found dead in the early hours of Thursday.
In a statement issued in Minna, the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, said the deaths were linked to a suspected disease outbreak.
“However, in the early hours of 17th September, 2026, scores of the detained suspects were found dead, following a suspected outbreak of disease,” the command said.
The NSCDC said the bodies had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to establish the actual cause of death.
The command, however, did not disclose the number of people who died or state whether the suspected disease originated within the detention facility or had been contracted before the miners were arrested.
That uncertainty has become a major source of anger among the families, who are demanding clearer information about the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The NSCDC appealed for calm, saying it was working with other security agencies to prevent the situation from degenerating into a breakdown of law and order.
The command also said it remained committed to human rights and the protection of lives and property while enforcing its mandate against illegal mining.
For the families, however, the immediate demand is for answers on the number of people who died, what caused their deaths and what happened to the detainees between their arrest and the discovery of the bodies.
The medical examination of the corpses is expected to provide crucial evidence that could help resolve the growing controversy.