RismadarVoice Reporters
September 19, 2026
Amnesty International has raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 37 suspected artisanal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The Country Director of Amnesty International, Isa Sanusi, said it was inappropriate to label the deceased as illegal miners when they were no longer alive to defend themselves against the allegation.
The deaths, which occurred while the men were detained in Minna, have prompted investigations by authorities, while accounts from survivors have raised questions about the conditions in which the detainees were held.
One survivor reportedly said 17 people were initially confined to a small cell before more detainees were brought into the facility.
According to the survivor, the detainees complained about overcrowding and extreme heat but remained inside the cell.
He also alleged that an unidentified substance, which he described as resembling perfume, was sprayed inside the room before the deaths occurred.
Speaking on Arise News, Sanusi said Amnesty International’s preliminary findings showed that the cell was designed to accommodate no more than 10 people but was allegedly being used to detain 67 individuals.
“Based on the investigation we have conducted so far, the cell where they were held was designed to accommodate no more than 10 people, yet 67 people were detained there,” Sanusi said.
He added that Minna experienced exceptionally hot weather between Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, further raising concerns about the conditions inside the detention facility.
Sanusi described the alleged overcrowding and detention conditions as serious human rights concerns that require thorough investigation.
“ These are serious human rights issues that we need to be talking about, particularly the decision to detain 67 people in a facility meant to accommodate no more than 10,” he said.
Authorities have continued investigations into the deaths, while calls for transparency and accountability have intensified.
