Di Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps don start investigation into di deaths of some suspected illegal miners wey dem arrest during enforcement operations for Niger State.

Dem arrest di suspects during coordinated operations wey di Niger State Command carry out for di M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis on September 15 and 16, 2026, as part of efforts to stop illegal mining activities for di state.

Di development follow reports say no fewer than 33 suspected illegal miners fear don die after dem detain dem for NSCDC facility for Minna.

Dem reportedly discover di deaths for early hours of Thursday, with di Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, saying na suspected outbreak of disease cause am.

But di NSCDC National Headquarters talk say dem never establish wetin cause di deaths, and stress say reports wey link am to any specific disease still dey subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.

For one statement on Thursday, di Corps' National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, talk say di Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, don direct say make dem set up one high-powered investigative team to find out wetin happen around di deaths.

Afolabi talk say dem give di team, wey di Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation go lead, mandate to conduct comprehensive inquiry into di incident.

According to am, di investigation go cover di condition of di suspects when dem arrest dem, how long dem stay for custody, di conditions of detention, medical attention wey dem provide for dem and other circumstances around di deaths.

Part of di statement read, "NSCDC don confirm di death of some suspected illegal miners wey dem arrest during enforcement operations wey dem conduct for parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.

"Following di development, di Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, don direct say make dem set up one high-powered investigative team, wey di Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation go lead, to immediately look into di circumstances around di incident.

"Dem don give di team mandate to undertake comprehensive investigation into di circumstances wey lead to di deaths, including di condition of di suspects when dem arrest dem, how long dem stay for custody, di conditions of detention, medical attention wey dem provide, and other relevant circumstances around di incident."

Audi also direct say make dem prioritise di health and welfare of all di people wey dey custody now, while dem dey take measures to protect personnel wey fit don get contact with di affected persons.

Di Corps express condolences to di families of di deceased and assure dem say dem go thoroughly investigate di circumstances around di incident and address am appropriately based on established facts.