President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
The President gave the directive on Friday, September 18, 2026, following the deaths of detainees arrested during enforcement operations around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna.
Tinubu described the development as a grave matter and said no Nigerian should lose their life in government custody because of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.
“The life of every Nigerian matters. No citizen should lose their life while in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty,” the President said.
He said the investigation must establish what happened from the point of arrest to the deaths of the detainees, including their condition when they were taken into custody, the conditions under which they were held, the number of people detained at the facility and the medical attention they received.
Tinubu also made it clear that the suspects’ alleged involvement in illegal mining did not remove their rights while in custody.
“The fact that these individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment,” he said.
The President directed that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through action, abuse or negligence must face criminal proceedings.
“Where the investigation establishes that any official, through action, abuse or negligence, contributed to these deaths, that officer must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. There must be accountability,” he said.
He further directed the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with the investigation and warned officers against interfering with the process.
Tinubu also said the suspension of officers would not be enough if the investigation establishes criminal responsibility.
“The suspension of officers is an administrative step. It cannot substitute for a proper determination of criminal responsibility where the evidence warrants prosecution,” he said.
The deaths have already triggered investigations by security authorities. The NSCDC has constituted a high-powered investigative team, while the Niger State NSCDC commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, has been suspended pending investigation.
The exact circumstances and cause of the deaths remain subject to investigation. Reports have put the number of deceased at 37, although earlier reports gave different figures.
Tinubu condoled with the families of the deceased and appealed for calm, saying the government would pursue the truth and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.
“We must never allow the pursuit of one form of illegality to create another. Government must enforce the law firmly, but government itself must obey the law,” he said.