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 suspected illegal miners in the state.
Tunji-Ojo also ordered a full investigation into the incident, which reportedly occurred at the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, the state capital, in the early hours of Thursday.
No fewer than 40 alleged illegal miners arrested by the NSCDC died in mysterious circumstances in detention, prompting authorities to launch an investigation.
The suspension of the NSCDC boss was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde.
According to the statement, the suspected illegal miners were arrested during enforcement operations conducted in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.
“It is an unfortunate incident, however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended.
“We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this,” the minister declared.
Tunji-Ojo urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding to allow for a transparent investigation.
He also commiserated with the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the families and relatives of the deceased.
Some reports had put the number of suspected illegal miners who died in custody at no fewer than 40, while the NSCDC did not give a specific figure.
The deaths had earlier prompted the NSCDC to constitute an investigative team to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement on Thursday, the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said the team, led by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, was mandated to conduct a comprehensive inquiry.
Afolabi said the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had directed the constitution of a high-powered investigative team to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
He said the investigation would cover the condition of the suspects upon arrest, their period in custody, the conditions of detention, medical attention provided to them and other circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The statement partly read, “NSCDC has confirmed the death of some suspected illegal miners who were arrested during enforcement operations conducted in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.
“Following the development, the Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has directed the constitution of a high-powered investigative team, led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, to immediately look into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The team has been mandated to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the deaths, including the condition of the suspects upon arrest, their period in custody, the conditions of detention, medical attention provided, and other relevant circumstances surrounding the incident.”
The NSCDC boss also directed that the health and welfare of all persons currently in custody be prioritised, while measures were being taken to protect personnel who might have had contact with the affected persons.
The Corps expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them that the circumstances surrounding the incident would be thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed based on established facts.
The statement added, “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.
“The Corps extends its condolences to the families of the deceased and assures them that the circumstances surrounding the incident will be thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed based on established facts.”
