How can 37 suspected illegal miners arrested by security operatives die while in government custody within just days of their detention?

That is the question Nigerians and the families of the deceased are demanding answers to following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

The suspects were arrested during enforcement operations conducted by the Niger State NSCDC Command on September 15 and 16 around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas as part of efforts to clamp down on illegal mining.

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According to the NSCDC, the operation led to the arrest of scores of suspected illegal miners and the recovery of various exhibits.
However, in the early hours of September 17, several of the detained suspects were found dead.

The Niger State NSCDC Command initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, saying the corpses had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to establish the actual cause of death.

The national headquarters later stressed that no specific disease had been medically confirmed as the cause.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths have nevertheless raised serious questions about what happened inside the detention facility.

A survivor, Dauda Shehu, told the Associated Press that 65 detainees were held in a poorly ventilated cell and alleged that those inside struggled to breathe.

He said detainees attempted to attract the attention of guards by banging on the cell door.

The account has raised questions about overcrowding, ventilation and the response to the detainees’ distress, although it has not independently established the cause of death.

An intelligence report cited by AFP also suggested that overcrowding and poor ventilation may have contributed to the deaths, while officials have continued to point to a possible disease outbreak.

The precise cause therefore remains a matter for medical examination and investigation.

The NSCDC has launched an investigation into the incident, with a high-powered investigative team led by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation directed to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The Niger State Police Command has also opened a separate investigation and appealed for credible information that could assist investigators in determining what happened.

The matter has now escalated at the federal level.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and directed a full investigation into the incident.

The suspension is pending the outcome of the investigation.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago also confirmed the deaths, announced three days of mourning and constituted a panel of inquiry into the incident.

The state subsequently cancelled an APC political rally scheduled for September 19 in Minna following the tragedy.

But beyond the investigations, Nigerians need answers.

The families of the deceased need answers.

How many people were held in the facility? What condition were the suspects in when they were arrested? How were they monitored while in custody? When did signs of illness or distress first become apparent? Were routine checks carried out? Was medical assistance sought, and how quickly was it provided?

Most importantly, what happened between the suspects’ arrest and the discovery of their bodies?

These questions cannot be answered by condolences alone.

The families deserve a clear account of how their loved ones died, backed by medical findings, evidence and a transparent timeline of events.

For many Nigerians, the incident raises an even broader question. With insecurity already making many citizens feel unsafe in their homes, communities and on the roads, the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners while in government custody raise another disturbing concern: if people are not guaranteed safety even after being arrested and placed under the protection of the state, where exactly is safe in Nigeria?

Whatever the eventual findings, the death of 37 people while in government custody demands a thorough and credible investigation and if the investigation establishes that any individual or institution failed in its responsibility, appropriate accountability should follow.

For now, the exact cause of the deaths remains unconfirmed, with medical examinations and investigations expected to provide answers.

An International Arbitration Tribunal under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris has ruled in favour of Nigeria, rejecting claims brought by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited over the long-delayed Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.

The tribunal, in its award issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, also ordered Sunrise Power and its promoter, Leno Adesanya, to reimburse Nigeria 75 per cent of the legal fees and expenses incurred in the arbitration, amounting to $11.8 million.

The ruling came nearly nine years after Sunrise commenced arbitration proceedings against Nigeria in October 2017.

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According to details of the award, Nigeria’s legal fees and expenses were assessed at $11,819,506.51. Of the amount, $2.5 million is to be released from funds held in escrow by the ICC, while Sunrise Power and Adesanya are required to pay the remaining $9,319,506.51, with interest accruing at an annual rate of 10 per cent, compounded annually, until the outstanding amount is fully paid.

The tribunal also fixed the arbitration costs at $1,656,500, with Sunrise Power and Adesanya responsible for 75 per cent and Nigeria responsible for the remaining 25 per cent.

The dispute is connected to the development of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, which the Federal Government has identified as a major power project in Taraba State.

The company had made a claim against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, demanding $680 million as a settlement sum and interest in respect of another arbitration in which it was claiming more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest relating to disputes associated with the development of the project.

In a separate aspect of the dispute, Sunrise Power had sought an order compelling Nigeria to pay $400 million, comprising a $200 million settlement sum and a further $200 million default sum.

The tribunal rejected the claim and dismissed Sunrise Power’s assertion that Nigeria had breached its contractual obligations under the settlement agreement and its addendum.

The panel also declared that Leno Adesanya, the promoter of Sunrise Power, was bound by the arbitration agreement with Nigeria under the settlement agreement and addendum. It further held that it had jurisdiction over Nigeria’s counterclaim against Adesanya and his firm.

The arbitration dates back to a disputed 2003 agreement concerning the construction of a hydroelectric power plant in Taraba State.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the original contract was for a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant under a build-operate-transfer model, but maintained that the Federal Executive Council never authorised the contract.

The broader Mambilla project has subsequently been associated with a planned capacity of 3,960MW.

Reacting to the ICC award, President Tinubu said the decision affirmed Nigeria’s determination to resist what he described as “predatory and exploitative claims by corrupt local and international entities and their enablers and funders.”

Tinubu also commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, and the entire team at the Federal Ministry of Justice for their efforts in defending Nigeria’s position.

He also praised Nigeria’s defence team, led by Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP, for what he described as their professional and excellent defence of the country.

The President further commended the patriotism and support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who testified in the case.

He noted that the dispute dated back to the controversial 2003 contract for the proposed hydroelectric plant in Taraba State.

Tinubu also thanked former ministers Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and Suleiman Adamu, as well as the experts and other witnesses who participated in the proceedings and helped defend Nigeria’s interests.

The President acknowledged the support of the National Security Adviser and commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its investigation into the case.

Tinubu described the ICC decision as a major development for the Mambilla project, saying the ruling had cleared the “single biggest legal hurdle” that had paralysed the hydropower project for years.

The President assured that Nigeria remained committed to partnering with genuine investors and honouring its legal obligations.

However, he said the country would continue to defend what he described as opportunistic claims against the nation’s commonwealth.

The ICC ruling therefore brings a major chapter of the long-running legal dispute surrounding Sunrise Power and the Mambilla project to a close, while removing the immediate arbitration claim that had exposed Nigeria to billions of dollars in potential liability.

In response to the recent security alerts, the Osun State Government has approved the establishment of a Joint Security Taskforce to strengthen security response and alert to threats to lives and properties in the state.

According to a government house statement on Thursday, to ensure smooth take off of the JTF, the state government declared its readiness to provide all necessary logistics that will strengthen the protection of lives and property of the people throughout Osun State .

The decision was adopted at the State Security Council (SSC) meeting convened yesterday by Governor Ademola Adeleke and presided over by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi with the new Commissioner of Police personally in attendance alongside other security top brass.

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The Deputy Governor while opening the meeting conveyed the best wishes of the state Governor to the service commanders and lauded their steadfastness during recent security challenges and tasked them not to relent in the face of fresh security threats.

Accompanied by the Attorney General of the state, Hon Wole Jimi-Bada; the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina; and the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, Mr Samuel Ojo, the Deputy Governor told the commanders that the governor is committed to further empowering the security agencies to secure the state while calling on the traditional rulers to sustain their local security oversight.

The Council during its deliberations also used the opportunity of the meeting which lasted several hours to further allay the fears of the residents on their security and protection, noting that Osun state remains safe and secured.

The Council further tasks residents to be extra vigilant particularly in churches, mosques and schools, tasking stakeholders to put extra security measures around their premises.

While assuring the public of their safety, the Council further requested timely intelligence sharing to security agencies by members of the public to forestall attacks by suspected terrorists and bandits.

The Nigeria Police in conjunction with other security agencies were also directed to be on a 24 hour red alert to curtail the threats of the said bandits and terrorists.

At the meeting, an agreement was also reached between the Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police, and the DSS, to collaborate with a view to ensuring that all the suspects are properly investigated and prosecuted accordingly without delay.

The meeting ended with a commendation of the new Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Zungura for instituting policing reforms since his assumption of office and for attending the security meeting in person.