Bago said investigators observed blood and foam in the mouths of some of the deceased, while burns were reportedly noticed on some bodies. He stressed, however, that these findings do not yet establish how the detainees died.
The governor said authorities are considering several possibilities, including suffocation caused by overcrowding and possible exposure to hazardous substances linked to mining activities. Samples were reportedly collected for further examination.
67 detainees reportedly held before 37 deaths
The victims were among a larger group arrested during NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
Bago subsequently disclosed that 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners had been detained, with 37 later found dead in custody. The deaths were discovered in the early hours of September 17.
The NSCDC initially described the deaths as possibly connected to a suspected disease outbreak. Its national leadership later clarified that the actual cause had not been established and that medical and laboratory examinations would be required before any definitive conclusion could be reached.
That uncertainty has become a central issue in the investigation.
Bago raises possible suffocation and chemical exposure
Speaking to journalists in Minna, Bago said the condition of some of the bodies raised questions that investigators would have to resolve scientifically.
According to the governor, the presence of foam or blood around the mouths of some victims could be consistent with several possible causes, including poisoning or suffocation. He also said some bodies showed burns.
Bago cautioned against assigning a definitive cause of death before the investigations are completed.
Among the possibilities being examined are the conditions in which the detainees were held and whether substances associated with illegal mining could have played a role. Reports indicate that medical, forensic and other experts have been involved in efforts to determine what happened.
A survivor has separately alleged that a substance was sprayed inside the cell shortly before some detainees began experiencing difficulty breathing. That allegation has not been independently established, and the identity or effect of the alleged substance remains unknown.
Investigations now involve several authorities
The deaths have triggered investigations at both state and federal levels.
The Niger State Government has constituted a committee of inquiry, while the police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The NSCDC and other security authorities are also conducting inquiries.
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu also visited Niger State and said the police would work with the relevant authorities to establish what led to the deaths.
The Niger State NSCDC commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and members of his team were suspended pending the investigation.
At the federal level, President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation and directed that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through negligence, abuse or other unlawful conduct should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The presidential directive means the investigation is now expected to examine not only the medical cause of death, but also the circumstances of the arrests, the number of people detained, detention conditions, access to medical care and the actions of officials responsible for the detainees.
Protests and curfew follow deaths
The deaths have also triggered unrest in Minna.
Residents and youths took to the streets following the discovery of the bodies, with protests reportedly escalating into clashes and attacks on public and private property. Security personnel used tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
In response, the Niger State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew in Minna, effective after Friday prayers, as authorities sought to prevent further violence and restore order. The government also announced measures affecting mining activities in the state.
The unrest has added another dimension to an already sensitive investigation: authorities must now determine the circumstances of the deaths while simultaneously managing public anger and maintaining security.
Why the Niger miners’ deaths matter
The incident raises two separate but connected issues.
The first is Nigeria’s continuing battle against illegal mining, which authorities have linked to environmental damage and wider security concerns. Enforcement operations are therefore likely to continue.
The second is the treatment of people once they enter government custody. Regardless of the allegations against detainees, the circumstances of their detention and deaths must be established through credible evidence.
That is why the current investigation is expected to go beyond determining a medical cause of death. It will also have to establish what happened from the moment the suspects were arrested until the discovery of the bodies.
What happens next?
The immediate focus is on the findings from forensic, medical and laboratory examinations, alongside investigations by the police, NSCDC and other authorities.
Officials will also need to establish the identities and detention records of the deceased, determine how many people were held in the facility, reconstruct the timeline of events and establish whether any official conduct contributed to the deaths.
Until those investigations are completed, the cause of the 37 deaths remains officially undetermined.
For now, Governor Bago’s disclosure of blood, foam and burns provides investigators with additional evidence to examine, but it should not itself be treated as proof of poisoning, suffocation or any other specific cause.
The outcome of the investigations—and whether they lead to criminal charges—will determine the next major phase of the case.
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