The federal government has ordered the immediate suspension of Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger state, following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners while in custody.
The government also directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which occurred around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna.
The suspects were arrested during enforcement operations carried out by the NSCDC in different parts of Niger state on September 15 and 16, 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday by Alao Babatunde, special adviser on media and publicity to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, the government said the commandant under whose watch the incident occurred would remain suspended until the investigation is concluded.
“It is an unfortunate incident; however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended,” the minister said.
“We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this.”
Tunji-Ojo called on members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding to ensure that the investigation is allowed to proceed transparently.
He also expressed condolences to Umaru Bago, governor of Niger state, as well as the families and relatives of those who died.
NSCDC says suspected disease outbreak caused deaths
Aniviye had earlier said “scores” of detained suspects were found dead in the early hours of September 17 following what he described as a suspected outbreak of disease.
He said the Niger command carried out a “burst operation” on September 15 and 16 as part of measures to eliminate illegal mining activities across the state.
According to him, the operation resulted in the arrest of suspected illegal miners and the recovery of various exhibits.
“However, in the early hours of 17th September, 2026, scores of the detained suspects were found dead, following a suspected outbreak of disease,” he said.
Aniviye said the bodies had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for additional medical examination to determine the actual cause of death.
He further said the corps was collaborating with sister security agencies and appealed to members of the public and relatives of the deceased to remain calm.
NSCDC constitutes panel to investigate deaths
Ahmed Abubakar, commandant-general of the NSCDC, ordered the establishment of a “high-powered” investigative team to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Babawale Afolabi, NSCDC national public relations officer, said the team would be headed by the deputy commandant-general responsible for intelligence and investigation.
He said the panel would examine the condition of the suspects at the time of their arrest, their period in custody, the conditions under which they were detained, medical care provided and other relevant circumstances.
“The team has been mandated to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the deaths, including the condition of the suspects upon arrest, their period in custody, the conditions of detention, medical attention provided, and other relevant circumstances surrounding the incident,” Afolabi said.
