By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody.
The suspension was ordered by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who also directed a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The victims were among suspected illegal miners arrested during NSCDC operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.
The deaths were discovered in the early hours of September 17 while the suspects were in NSCDC custody.
The Niger State Command had initially said the deaths may have resulted from a suspected disease outbreak. However, the NSCDC later stressed that the actual cause had not been established and would be determined through medical examinations.
Tunji-Ojo said the commandant would remain suspended while the investigation is ongoing, stressing that the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be established.
The NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has also ordered key officers from the Niger command, including the heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation, to appear before an investigative panel. A new commandant has been directed to take charge of the state command.
The Niger State Government has separately constituted a committee of inquiry and ordered forensic examinations and autopsies to determine the exact cause of death.
The development has also sparked protests in Minna, with relatives and residents demanding answers over the deaths.
