Federal Government suspends Niger NSCDC commandant over deaths of suspected illegal miners

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Suberu Aniviye, following the deaths of dozens of suspected illegal miners in the state.

 

The minister also directed a full investigation into the incident, which occurred after the suspects were arrested during enforcement operations around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna on September 15 and 16, 2026.

 

Reports put the number of deaths at between 33 and 37, although investigations are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances and number of victims.

 

The NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has also ordered a high-powered investigation into the deaths.

 

According to the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, the investigative team will examine the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, their period in custody, detention conditions, medical attention provided and other circumstances surrounding the deaths.

 

The remains of the deceased have reportedly been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination and autopsies to establish the actual cause of death.

 

The NSCDC said reports attributing the deaths to a specific disease remained unconfirmed pending medical and laboratory examinations.

 

“The NSCDC wishes to clarify that reports attributing the deaths to any specific disease remain subject to medical and laboratory confirmation. The Corps will therefore refrain from speculation until the outcome of the medical examination is established,” Afolabi said.

 

The Corps also directed that the health and welfare of other persons still in custody be prioritised and that measures be taken to protect personnel who may have come into contact with the affected detainees.

 

Meanwhile, the Niger State Government has constituted a separate committee to investigate the deaths.

 

The committee, chaired by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, includes the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, as secretary.

 

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago described the incident as tragic and assured the victims’ families that the government would investigate the matter and ensure it was brought to a logical conclusion.

 

He said the state was compiling a register of the victims’ families and would engage with them throughout the investigation.

 

The governor also ordered the immediate closure of illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi mining site and directed that experts from Abuja be invited to examine the area.

 

Bago appealed to residents, particularly youths, to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

 

The development has also attracted concern from Amnesty International, which called for an independent investigation into the deaths, including the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the conditions under which the suspects were detained.

 

The organisation called for justice for the victims and their families and urged that anyone found responsible be held accountable.