Niger NSCDC Custody Deaths: Names of 37 Suspected Illegal Miners Released (Full List)

The names 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 reportedly arrested during anti-illegal mining operations conducted by the NSCDC in the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.

Their deaths on September 17, shortly after their arrests, have sparked public concern, protests and calls for accountability.

The NSCDC had earlier attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, stating that the bodies were deposited at the General Hospital in Minna for medical examination to determine the actual cause of death.

Following protests by youths over the incident, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, imposed a 24-hour curfew on Friday.

Bago also disclosed that some survivors had been taken to hospital for treatment, while others had been reunited with their families after the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) took their statements.

The release of the names comes amid growing public concern over the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The actual cause of death, according to the NSCDC’s earlier statement, is subject to medical examination.

Full List of the 37 Deceased

The names of the suspected illegal miners released are:

1. Ibrahim Sani
2. Fahad Sa’adu
3. Abdulsalam Ismail
4. Usman Aliyu
5. Abubakar Alhaji
6. Sani Nasir
7. Sanusi Khalid
8. Ahmad Aliyu
9. Safiyanu Abdullahi
10. Suleiman Dantala
11. Idris Haruna
12. Sani Yakubu
13. Safiyanu Abubakar
14. Abdullahi Abubakar
15. Abubakar Musa
16. Abdul Mudassir
17. Suleiman Lawal
18. Usman Abdullahi
19. Samuel Sambo
20. Ibrahim Musa
21. Yusuf Nasiru
22. Umar Lawal
23. Isyaku Amisu
24. Bissallah Adamu
25. Abdulbari Suleiman
26. Shafisu Lado
27. Usman Ahmad
28. Usman Ibrahim
29. Sani Isyaku
30. Musa Ibrahim
31. Idris Bashir
32. Kabiru Suleiman
33. Emmanuel Emeka
34. Mu’awiya AbdulKarim
35. Abdul Gafar Abubakar
36. Usman Haruna

37. Aro Salihu Soba