The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following the deaths of dozens of suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody in Minna.
The suspension was ordered by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who also directed a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths at the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of the Niger State capital.
The suspects were arrested during NSCDC enforcement operations against illegal mining activities on September 15 and 16, 2026.
The Corps subsequently reported that several detainees were found dead in the early hours of September 17.
The exact number of deaths has varied in early reports. While the NSCDC initially described the fatalities as involving “scores” of detainees, subsequent reports from the Corps and state authorities put the figure at 37. Some Nigerian media reports have cited 33.
Tunji-Ojo described the incident as unfortunate and said Aniviye would remain suspended while the investigation was conducted.
“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.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, while expressing condolences to Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the families of those who died.
The suspension came after the NSCDC had already constituted an investigative team to examine the deaths.
The team, led by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, was tasked with examining the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, their period in custody, detention conditions and the medical attention provided to them.
The remains were deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination.
The Corps also cautioned against premature conclusions about the cause of death, saying reports linking the fatalities to a particular disease remained subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.
The Niger State Police Command has separately opened an investigation into the incident.
Commissioner of Police Adamu Abdullahi Elleman directed the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and called for credible information from relatives and members of the public.
The incident has also triggered a state-level response.
Governor Bago declared three days of mourning for the deceased and cancelled an All Progressives Congress rally scheduled for Saturday, September 19, in Minna.
The deaths have raised questions about the treatment and welfare of suspects in security custody, while authorities work to establish what happened between the arrests and the discovery of the bodies.
The Federal Government’s investigation, the NSCDC inquiry, police probe and medical examinations are expected to determine the circumstances and cause of the deaths.
