The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has ordered a probe into the death of some suspected illegal miners who were arrested during enforcement operations conducted in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.

National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi,said that the suspects were arrested during a coordinated operation by the Niger State Command as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining and protect the nation’s natural resources.

Afolabi said that reports attributing the deaths to any specific disease remained subject to medical and laboratory confirmation, stressing that the Corps would “refrain from speculation until the outcome of the medical examination is established.”

the Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, however ,directed the constitution of an investigative team, to look into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Audi further directed that the health and welfare of all persons currently in custody be given priority, while necessary measures are taken to protect personnel who may have had contact with the affected persons.

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