# 37 dead in Nigerian custody over illegal mining

> Dozens accused of illegal gold mining died in a detention facility in Niger state, sparking protests and questions about how they really died.
- Title: 37 dead in Nigerian custody over illegal mining · BBC News
- Summary: Dozens accused of illegal gold mining died in a detention facility in Niger state, sparking protests and questions about how they really died. 37 suspected…
- Keywords: niger state, nigeria, illegal mining, gold mining, custody deaths, nscdc, detention facility, overcrowding, borgu, minna, criminal investigation, news
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw980qp2n3p4o
- Published: 2026-09-18T02:52:33.987+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: niger state, nigeria, illegal mining, gold mining, custody deaths, nscdc, detention facility, overcrowding, borgu, minna, criminal investigation, news
## 37 miners die in Nigerian detention
Thirty-seven people arrested for illegal mining in Niger state died in an NSCDC detention facility. Police launched an investigation into the deaths.
## Overcrowding blamed for the deaths
An intelligence report suggested the detainees died from overcrowding and poor ventilation, not disease as authorities initially claimed. Survivors described fainting in the heat.

> We believe they suffocated because there was no ventilation.
## Arrest happened near Borgu
Young men were arrested Tuesday near Borgu, a region in Niger state known for small-scale gold mining. Two days later, 37 were found dead in the detention centre.
## Families denied information before deaths
Relatives visited the NSCDC office seeking release but were told to return later. The next day they learned their family members had died in custody.

> Unfortunately, the following day we got the news that our children had died.
## Protests erupt after news spreads
Miners and relatives attacked public buildings and buses with stones and sticks after hearing about the deaths. Police dispersed crowds with tear gas and a 24-hour curfew was imposed in Minna.
## Disease claim contradicted by evidence
NSCDC initially blamed a diphtheria outbreak, but later said the cause was undetermined. Relatives questioned how disease killed detainees without affecting guards.
## Governor declares mourning period
State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago called the deaths tragic and declared three days of mourning. An NSCDC commander was detained following the incident.
## Key takeaway

37 suspected illegal miners died in an overcrowded, poorly ventilated NSCDC detention cell in Niger state, with authorities blaming disease while evidence points to suffocation.