Niger ‘Illegal’ Miners: D English Alhaji shares story of man who reportedly died in NSCDC detention
Nigerian social commentator D English Alhaji has raised concerns over the demise of a man identified as Emmanuel among the 37 detainees who allegedly died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
In a video, D English Alhaji claimed that Emmanuel was not an illegal miner but was detained following a dispute with his employer over an alleged account imbalance.
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“Among the 37 persons wey kpai NSCDC detention for Minna, Niger State is one boy wey them dey call Emmanuel. Emmanuel no follow for the so-called ‘illegal miners’.”
He alleged that Emmanuel and his boss had a disagreement after completing an account, with the boss allegedly taking him to the detention facility.
“Wetin Emmanuel for that detention be say Emmanuel and him boss get issue. Wetin be the issue? Say they do account finish and money no balance, na him him boss carry am go drop am for there.”
According to D English Alhaji, Emmanuel remained in detention from the previous Friday until Thursday, September 17, when the deaths were discovered. He also claimed that Emmanuel’s father went to plead with his son’s employer but was unsuccessful.
He further alleged that Emmanuel was already being held at the facility when the suspected illegal miners were brought in and placed in the same cell.
“Na that place Emmanuel dey dem come bring the ‘illegal’ miners come add all of them inside one cell. Cell wey na small hole wey ventilation dey take enter.”
The comments come amid an ongoing investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody. The detainees were arrested during operations around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Minna on September 15 and 16, 2026.
Authorities have not yet established the cause of the deaths. Niger State Governor Umar Bago said 67 people had reportedly been detained in the cell before 37 died, while investigations have been ordered into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
D English Alhaji used the incident to call for Nigerians to set aside ethnic and religious divisions and focus on addressing broader problems affecting the country.
“Una see the reason I say make we come together as one fix this country. Make we keep tribalism one side, make we keep religion one side fix our country.”
Watch video below …
How Emmanuel died in NSCDC detention 💔😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/OTDnJXr8im
— D English Alhaji Media (@DEngliishalhaji) September 19, 2026