FG suspends Niger NSCDC boss over deaths of 37 suspected miners

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate suspension of Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody.

The government also ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which occurred in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna.

The suspects were arrested during enforcement operations conducted by the NSCDC in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.

In a statement issued on Friday by Alao Babatunde, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the government said Aniviye would remain suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

“It is an unfortunate incident; however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended,” Tunji-Ojo said.

“We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this.”

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The minister urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding to allow for a transparent investigation into the incident.

He also commiserated with the Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, as well as the families and relatives of the deceased.

NSCDC blames suspected disease outbreak

The Niger State NSCDC Command had earlier attributed the deaths to what it described as a suspected outbreak of disease among detained suspects.

Aniviye said “scores” of suspects arrested during enforcement operations were found dead in the early hours of September 17.

According to him, the command conducted a “burst operation” on September 15 and 16 as part of efforts to curb illegal mining activities in the state.

He said the operation resulted in the arrest of suspected illegal miners and the recovery of various exhibits.

“However, in the early hours of 17th September, 2026, scores of the detained suspects were found dead, following a suspected outbreak of disease,” Aniviye said.

He added that the corpses had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for further medical examination to establish the actual cause of death.

The commandant said the NSCDC was working with sister security agencies and appealed to members of the public and families of the deceased to remain calm.

NSCDC constitutes investigative panel

Meanwhile, the NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar, has directed the constitution of a high-powered investigative team to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said the team would be headed by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of intelligence and investigation.

He said the panel had been mandated to investigate the condition of the suspects at the time of arrest, their period in custody, detention conditions, medical attention provided and other 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,” Afolabi said.