The identities of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State have been released.
The victims were among suspects arrested during anti-illegal mining operations in Minna on September 15 and 16, 2026.
Their deaths were reported on September 17.
The incident has sparked public outrage, protests and calls for an independent investigation into what happened inside the detention facility.
The NSCDC initially said the deaths followed a suspected disease outbreak.
However, the exact cause of death has not been established. The Federal Government has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
How the names were obtained
The list was compiled by the International Human Rights Commission, IHRC.
According to the organisation, the initial names were obtained from records at the General Hospital in Minna.
Four additional names were later supplied by relatives of victims who were not included in the initial hospital record.
The list is therefore being used to help identify the deceased and assist affected families.
Full list of the 37 deceased miners
- Ibrahim Sani
- Fahad Sa’adu
- Abdulsalam Ismail
- Usman Aliyu
- Abubakar Alhaji
- Sani Nasir
- Sanusi Khalid
- Ahmad Aliyu
- Safiyanu Abdullahi
- Suleiman Dantala
- Idris Haruna
- Sani Yakubu
- Safiyanu Abubakar
- Abdullahi Abubakar
- Abubakar Musa
- Abdul Mudassir
- Suleiman Lawal
- Usman Abdullahi
- Samuel Sambo
- Ibrahim Musa
- Yusuf Nasiru
- Umar Lawal
- Isyaku Amisu
- Bissallah Adamu
- Abdulbari Suleiman
- Shafisu Lado
- Usman Ahmad
- Usman Ibrahim
- Sani Isyaku
- Musa Ibrahim
- Idris Bashir
- Kabiru Suleiman
- Emmanuel Emeka
- Mu’awiya AbdulKarim
- Abdul Gafar Abubakar
- Usman Haruna
- Yaro Salihu Soba
The IHRC said the final four names — Mu’awiya AbdulKarim, Abdul Gafar Abubakar, Usman Haruna and Yaro Salihu Soba — were not included in the initial General Hospital list but were subsequently provided by relatives.
Government orders investigation
The deaths have triggered action from the Federal Government.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The Niger State NSCDC commandant and other personnel were subsequently suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
The NSCDC has also detained personnel in connection with the incident. Current reports say 24 officers, including the suspended Niger State commandant, have been taken into custody as investigations continue.
Protests erupt in Minna
The deaths triggered protests in Minna, with residents demanding answers.
The demonstrations later became violent, leading the Niger State Government to impose a curfew in the state capital.
Security forces were deployed to control the unrest.
The incident has also generated calls from civil society organisations and rights groups for a transparent investigation.
Cause of death remains under investigation
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak.
However, survivors and relatives have raised allegations concerning the conditions in which the detainees were held.
Some reports have described severe overcrowding and poor ventilation inside the detention facility.
Those allegations have not been conclusively established and remain part of the issues being examined by investigators. Reuters reported that many of the detainees were teenagers and that questions remained over the circumstances of the deaths.
The government has yet to announce a final determination of the cause of death.
Families seek answers
The release of the names is expected to help families confirm the identities of relatives who died in custody.
The IHRC said the list could also assist efforts relating to compensation for affected families.
As the investigation continues, attention remains focused on the circumstances of the arrests, detention conditions and events that led to the deaths.
Authorities are expected to establish the cause of death and determine whether any officials or other persons should be held responsible.
