The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded 24 personnel, including its suspended Niger State Commandant, Subaru Siyaka Aniviye, at the Corps Headquarters in Abuja.
This followed their arrest and detention in connection with the tragic death in custody of 37 suspected illegal miners in the NSCDC custody in Niger State last week.
Speaking against the backdrop of the incident, the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said due process, transparency and accountability would be strictly followed in the investigation of the affected personnel.
According to him, every personnel found culpable would face the full weight of internal disciplinary measures and the law.
Audi also announced that the service flag of the Corps will fly at half-mast across all commands and formations for three days.
Parading the officers and men at the Corps Headquarters, the Corps Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, disclosed that, as against the initial figure of 21 personnel, three more personnel identified had also been placed on suspension, bringing the total to 24 personnel.
The spokesman expressed the unwavering resolve of the Corps to purge the system of bad eggs.
He said, “In a swift and decisive joint operation conducted in conjunction with the Commandant General’s Special Investigation Squad (SIS), all officers and men of the Niger State Command linked to the gross misconduct have, since the 17th September 2026, been taken into protective custody at the National Headquarters, Abuja, where they are undergoing rigorous interrogation and administrative disciplinary action, so as to make them available for the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.”
According to him, the Commandant General ordered that the NSCDC flag be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days, starting from Sunday, 20th September 2026, in a solemn demonstration of the Corps’ grief, institutional remorse and absolute disapproval of the incident.
Afolabi further said, “As a Corps built on integrity, professionalism, discipline, and absolute respect for the rule of law, we do not condone unprofessional conduct, high-handedness, or any action that undermines the fundamental rights of citizens or the sacred trust reposed in us.”
The Corps pledged to continue to keep the public abreast of the outcome of the investigation, adding that the leadership of the NSCDC remained unwavering in its commitment to transparency, human rights protection and professional ethics.
He also appreciated the patience and understanding of Nigerians during the internal re-evaluation.
The 24 personnel named in connection with the incident are Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye, suspended NSCDC Niger State Commandant; DCC Ajayi Philips, Head of Department (HOD), Intelligence and Investigation; DCC John Agrahau Chagwa, HOD, Operations; DCC Obafemi Elvis; ACC Stephen Tsado, Officer in Charge (O/C), Legal; CSC Oluwadare Sunday; CSC Annas Shittu Lamino; SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; DSC Aminu Sule Garba; DSC Musa Marafa; DSC Isah Sulaiman; ASCI Hassan Muhammad; ASCI Alhassan Muhammad; Aliyu Sallah, on guard duty; IC Abdullahi Sale; IC Mohammed N. Sonfada; Mohammed Jiya; Sale Adamu; Haruna Muhammed; CCA Baba Muhamma; CAI Isah Sanusi; CAI Liman Abubakar; CAI Bala Usman; and CAI Ahmed Wushishi.
Regarding DCC Ajayi Philips and DCC John Agrahau Chagwa, the Corps attributed their inclusion to “lack of supervision” in their respective departments.
It will be recalled that the 37 detainees died days after they were reportedly arrested during anti-illegal mining operations conducted by the NSCDC in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The NSCDC had initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, saying the actual cause of death would be established through medical examination.
