NSCDC Custody Deaths: 37 Detainees Found Dead in Niger

On September 15 and 16, 2026, thirty-seven individuals were arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) during operations against suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State.

They were found dead in NSCDC custody on September 17, 2026, raising serious concerns about the conditions of their detention. Initial reports from the NSCDC suggested a suspected disease outbreak as the cause of death, but survivors and other accounts pointed to issues such as overcrowding, poor ventilation, and the possible spraying of an unidentified substance.

An independent Investigative Committee has been established by the government to determine the cause, mechanism, and manner of the deaths, which will include interviewing survivors and examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. The deaths have sparked outrage and prompted discussions on the responsibilities of custodians towards detainees and the value placed on human life in Nigeria.