Minna Custody Deaths: Tinubu Orders Prosecution of Culpable Officials
NIGERIA · POLITICS
Key Facts
- —What happened Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu ordered a full investigation into the deaths of 37 detained suspected illegal miners in Minna.
- —The context An armed interior ministry agency arrested dozens of suspected illegal miners around Minna on 15 and 16 September 2026.
- —Why it matters How Nigeria handles alleged abuse inside its security agencies shapes how foreign residents and investors judge legal risk.
- —The catch The cause of death is not established, no official has been charged, and suspension is only an administrative step.
- —Who it affects Foreign residents and investors in Nigeria, mining companies in north-central Nigeria, and anyone in or travelling to Minna.
- —What comes next Several investigations are running, a 24-hour curfew is in force in Minna, and no inquiry report date is set.
Nigeria’s president says any official found responsible for the deaths of 37 detained suspected miners in Niger State must be arrested and prosecuted.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday, 18 September 2026, ordered a full investigation into the Minna custody deaths of suspected illegal miners. He said any official found responsible must be arrested and prosecuted.
What President Tinubu ordered
The statement came from the State House in Abuja and was signed by presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga. It said the life of every Nigerian matters.
If an official is found to have contributed, that officer “must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law”, he said. “There must be accountability,” he added.
He added that suspension of officers “is only an administrative step”. It must not replace a proper finding on criminal responsibility, he said.
Tinubu asked investigators to examine the arrests, the detainees’ condition, the detention conditions and the number of people held. The medical care given and the events before the deaths are also covered.
He told the Ministry of Interior and the corps leadership to cooperate fully. “The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable,” he said.
What happened in Minna
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is an armed agency under the interior ministry. It protects infrastructure and acts against crimes such as illegal mining.
The corps arrested dozens of suspected illegal miners on 15 and 16 September 2026. The operations took place at mining sites around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto area of Minna, the Niger State capital.
The corps said some detainees were found dead in the early hours of Thursday, 17 September. It first pointed to a suspected disease outbreak.
It later said the cause of death had not been established and would be set by medical examination. The bodies were taken to the General Hospital, Minna.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed that 37 people died. He said many were children aged 14 to 18, according to Reuters.
“There are issues of illegal mining, and it is taking a toll on our children,” Bago said.
Suspension and several investigations
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye. The suspension lasts until a full investigation is complete.
The corps set up its own investigative team, led by its deputy commandant-general for intelligence and investigation. The state police commissioner, Adamu Elleman, also ordered a police investigation.
Bago set up a state committee of inquiry chaired by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba. He said the Department of State Services and the police had formed their own panels.
The governor said forensic checks and autopsies would be carried out. He also declared three days of mourning and ordered illegal mining around the M.I. Wushishi site to stop.
Protests and a curfew
Residents protested in Minna on Thursday night and on Friday. Reuters witnesses said security forces fired live rounds, and one witness reported seeing one dead person.
The state government imposed a 24-hour curfew in Minna from after Friday prayers, until further notice. Reuters said order had been restored before the curfew began.
Bago also cancelled a campaign rally of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) planned for Saturday in Minna.
What rights groups are asking for
Amnesty International called for a prompt, independent and transparent investigation. It said anyone found responsible should face justice, not only internal or administrative sanctions.
Some relatives told reporters that people arrested included farmers and minors. These claims have not been independently confirmed.
The mother of one detainee told Reuters she had found her son in a cramped cell before learning he had died. The corps did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Why the Minna custody deaths matter to expats and investors
For foreign residents and investors, the case shows how Nigeria handles alleged abuse inside its security agencies. The answer affects how people judge legal and governance risk.
Nigeria has tried for years to curb unlicensed mining at thousands of informal sites. Authorities say it damages the environment and costs government revenue.
Companies with mining interests in north-central Nigeria may see tighter enforcement and closer scrutiny of how it is carried out. Local tension can also delay site visits and community talks.
For anyone living in or travelling to Minna, the practical point is simple. Follow the curfew and official advice until authorities lift it.
What is not known
The cause of death has not been established. The victims were buried late on Thursday under Islamic tradition, and it is not yet clear how forensic checks will proceed.
It is not known when any of the inquiries will report. It is also unclear whether the several investigations will share findings or run separately.
No official has been charged so far. The presidency has not set a deadline for the investigation.
The next steps will depend on what the inquiries find and how quickly they share their results.
More: Nigeria news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did President Tinubu order after the Minna custody deaths?
He ordered a full and transparent investigation. He said any official found to have contributed to the deaths must be arrested and prosecuted.
How many people died?
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed 37 deaths. The cause has not yet been established.
Who has been suspended?
Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, the corps’ commandant in Niger State, was suspended by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo pending investigation.
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Sources: State House, Abuja statement by Bayo Onanuga, 18 September 2026; Ministry of Interior; Niger State Government; Nigeria Police Force, Niger State Command; Amnesty International; Reuters; Premium Times; TVC News; The ICIR.
Frequently Asked Questions
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief