37 people have died at a detention facility in Minna
MINNA, Nigeria — September 2026
Thirty-seven people have died at a detention facility in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, after being arrested over alleged illegal gold-mining activities.
Many of those who died were young people. According to officials, some of them were between the ages of 14 and 18. A total of 67 people had reportedly been detained during an operation by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at sites where illegal gold mining was allegedly taking place.
Survivors said the detainees were held in an overcrowded room with poor ventilation. Some also alleged that guards released an unidentified substance into the room, after which several detainees began experiencing breathing difficulties and collapsing.
The exact cause of the 37 deaths remains under investigation. Nigerian authorities said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had called for a thorough investigation, while some NSCDC officials were suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The deaths sparked anger and protests in Minna, with residents demanding answers over how the detainees died while in custody. Authorities later imposed restrictions on movement following concerns over the security situation.
The investigation is continuing as authorities seek to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether anyone should be held responsible.
