37 Minners Die Custody as Niger NSCDC Commandant Is Suspended

The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC 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 enforcement operations carried out by the NSCDC in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.

The deaths were reported in the early hours of Thursday at the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, the state capital. The NSCDC had said the detainees died following a suspected outbreak of disease, while their bodies were deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to determine the actual cause of death.

In a statement issued on Friday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, Tunji-Ojo described the incident as unfortunate and said the commandant would remain suspended while the investigation is 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.

Tunji-Ojo said the government’s priority was the protection of lives and urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding while authorities conduct a transparent investigation.

Meanwhile, the NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, has directed the constitution of an investigative team to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the condition of the detainees when they were arrested, their detention conditions and the medical attention provided to them.

The Niger State Government has also constituted a committee of inquiry and ordered forensic examinations and autopsies to establish the exact cause of the deaths.

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