Miners—including women, young adults, and minors—have returned to the M.I. Wushishi mining site in Minna, Niger State, just days after a tragic incident where 37 detained artisanal miners died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

A field visit to the site on Saturday revealed no security personnel present. Instead, dozens of locals were seen using shovels, picks, and basins to excavate topsoil and wash materials in nearby streams, driven by economic necessity despite the recent raids and loss of life.

Key Highlights & Eyewitness Accounts

  • Custody Tragedy under Investigation: The 37 deceased miners were among 67 individuals arrested during NSCDC raids on September 15 and 16 at the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate area. While former NSCDC Commandant Suberu Aniviye initially cited a "suspected disease outbreak," Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and federal authorities noted that cell overcrowding, suffocation, and chemical exposure are being investigated. The Federal Government has since suspended the state commandant and constituted a panel of inquiry.

  • Economic Survival Over Safety: Returning miners explained that abandoning the site was not an option due to severe economic pressure. Salisu DanMallam, who has mined at the location for over 15 years, noted that staying away for even two days severely impacts his family's livelihood due to a lack of alternative employment.

  • Allegations of High-Handedness and Bail Demands: Buhari Rabiu, 26, recalled fleeing the site during the recent raid after being alerted by local women. He alleged a history of harsh treatment by law enforcement, claiming officers previously injured him during a past raid, required a ₦120,000 payment for his release, and that a fellow miner was shot at close range during a prior encounter.

  • Rudimentary Safety Practices: To prevent deadly cave-ins, miners at the site report keeping excavations shallow. "We don't dig beyond our knee level because of the risk of landslides," DanMallam stated.

Background Context

The deaths of the 37 miners triggered protests across Minna, prompting the state government to declare a three-day period of mourning and call for an executive ban on illegal mining activities until safety, environmental, and legal standards can be enforced. However, with no alternative income sources provided to the local population, enforcement efforts face persistent resistance as workers continuously return to the pits.