FG Suspends Niger NSCDC Commandant Over Death of 37 Suspected Miners in Custody
By Democracy Newsline News Desk
The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Aniviye, following the death of 37 suspected illegal miners while in NSCDC custody in Minna, the Niger State capital.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered the immediate suspension of the commandant and directed a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The incident reportedly occurred at the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna in the early hours of Thursday, September 18, 2026.
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The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde.
According to the statement, the deceased were among suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations conducted in different parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, Tunji-Ojo said the government would ensure that the circumstances surrounding the deaths were thoroughly investigated.
“It is an unfortunate incident; however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended.”
The minister added that the protection of lives remained a major priority of the administration.
“We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo appealed to members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding while the investigation is being conducted, stressing the importance of allowing the process to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
He also commiserated with the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, as well as the families and relatives of those who lost their lives.
The reported death toll had initially been put at no fewer than 33 suspected illegal miners, but Governor Bago subsequently confirmed that 37 persons had died in custody. The NSCDC, however, had not initially provided a specific figure.
Following the deaths, the NSCDC had earlier constituted an investigative team to determine what led to the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said the investigative team was headed by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation.
The team was mandated to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the incident, including the condition of the suspects at the time of their arrest, their period in custody, the conditions under which they were detained, the medical attention provided to them and other circumstances connected to their deaths.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether any official or institutional responsibility arose from the incident.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper September 18, 2026
