Niger’s NSCDC commander suspended due to deaths of 37 illegal miners in custody

The Commander of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, has been suspended by the federal government following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners under his watch.

The government also ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths that occurred at the MI Wushishi/Lukoto axis in Minna.

The suspects were arrested in a law enforcement operation carried out by the NSCDC in several parts of Niger state on September 15 and 16, 2026.

NSCDC, Niger State Command, had earlier confirmed the deaths of suspects arrested during operations in MI Wushishi and Lukoto Villages in the state.

In a statement issued on Friday by Alao Babatunde, special adviser on media and publicity to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of home affairs, the government said the commander overseeing the incident would remain suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

“This is a very unfortunate incident; however a full investigation will be carried out while the commander who oversaw this incident remains suspended,” the minister said.

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Tunji-Ojo urged the public to remain calm and law-abiding to allow for a transparent investigation.

He also sympathized with Umaru Bago, governor of Niger state, as well as the family and relatives of the deceased.

Aniviye previously said “dozens” of detained suspects were found dead in the early hours of September 17 after what he described as a suspected disease outbreak.

He said Niger commandos carried out “blast operations” on September 15 and 16 as part of efforts to clear illegal mining activities in the country.

According to him, the operation resulted in the arrest of suspected illegal miners and the discovery of various pieces of evidence.

“However, in the early hours of September 17 2026, dozens of detained suspects were found dead due to a suspected disease outbreak,” he said.

Ahmed Abubakar, commanding general of the NSCDC, has also directed the formation of a “high-powered” investigation team to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Babawale Afolabi, NSCDC national public relations officer, said the team would be led by the deputy commanding general in charge of intelligence and investigations.