Nigerians have demanded for justice over arrested illegal miners found dead in NSCDC custody in Niger State. Heartbreaking video shows the moment family members found the unconscious bodies of their loved ones in a cell.
The illegal miners were detained in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State following their arrest between September 15 and 16, 2026.
On the morning of September 17, thirty-seven of the detained illegal miners were found de@d.
A statement signed by the Niger State Commandant, Comdt. Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, said the victims were di£d following a disease outbreak in the cell and their corpses have been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for further medical examination (read here).
However, family members are demanding answers as to what kind of disease led to their de@ths within 24 hours.
A video shared online shows family members calling out the names of their loved ones as they saw their bodies lying close together in the cell. Some of the deceased looked to be as young as teenagers.
“Salim, Salim,” one woman covered in hijab screamed while heading towards a body.
Some of the bodies appeared to be foaming from the mouth.
Another video shows more family members waiting outside the building housing their d£ad loved ones. They wailed as they called the names of their loved ones.
Nigerians on social media have expressed outrage over the de@ths and are demanding answers.
