20/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE PALACE OF THE EMIR OF MINNA On The Tragic Deaths of Youths in Custody in Minna.
Date: 18th September, 2026
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raji'un.
With deep shock and profound sorrow, the Palace of the Emir of Minna received yesterday morning, 17th September 2026, the devastating news of the death of a number of youths who were arrested on 15th and 16th September, 2026 by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Niger State Command, during operations against illegal mining in M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis.
According to official statements from the NSCDC Niger State Command and the Niger State Police Command, scores of suspects were found dead in the early hours of 17th September in the detention facility. While the Niger State Command attributed it to a suspected disease outbreak, the NSCDC National Headquarters and the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, have ordered a high-powered investigation to establish the true cause. The corpses have been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination. The Police Commissioner, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, has also directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, to investigate. Local and national media report at least 33 deaths, while His Excellency has mentioned 37. We await the final medical and investigative report.
As your Emir, I share in this colossal pain.
1. To the bereaved parents and families:
Allah (SWT) reminds us in the Holy Qur'an:
"Kullu nafsin za'iqatul maut" Every soul shall taste death (Qur'an 21:35 and 3:185)
And "Alladhi khalaqal mauta wal hayata liyabluwakum ayyukum ahsanu 'amala" - He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed (Qur'an 67:2)
And we say as believers: _"Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un" Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return (Qur'an 2:156).
Allah gives life and takes it when it pleases Him. No soul knows when and how it will return to its Creator. May Allah (SWT) grant you sabr and comfort your hearts in this most trying moment.
2. I extend my deepest condolences to His Excellency, the Farmer Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, father of all in Niger State, over this colossal loss of young lives. These were sons of Niger State.
3. I commend the Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, and all sister security agencies in the state for their swift response, for working round the clock to maintain peace, and for ensuring that there was no breakdown of law and order in Minna.
4. I joined the NSCDC Commandant General and the Niger State Police Command in calling on the Government of Niger State to fully support the independent investigation committee already constituted. It is imperative that we ascertain the real and scientific cause of death, including the condition of arrest, condition of detention, medical attention, ventilation, and crowding so as to guide against future occurrence and ensure accountability
5. I appeal to all parents, community leaders, and guardians to counsel our children to obey constituted authority and to desist from illegal mining and all activities prohibited by law. Our mineral wealth must be harnessed through lawful means.
6. I appeal to all inhabitants of Minna, especially the youth, to remain calm, law-abiding, and to go about their lawful businesses. Do not take laws into your hands. Let us allow the investigation to take its full course. Anyone with credible information should kindly report to SCID, Minna.
7. I sincerely thank His Excellency the Governor, the security agencies, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and other stakeholders for their collective efforts in keeping Minna safe and for managing this sensitive situation.
8. Finally, we pray: May Allah (SWT) forgive the shortcomings of our departed sons, illuminate their graves, grant them Aljannatul Firdaus, and give their families the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. May Allah bring peace, healing, and stability to Minna, to Niger State, and to Nigeria at large.
May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.
Signed:
His Royal Highness
Alhaji (Dr.) Umar Faruq Bahago CON,
Emir of Minna
