FG suspends NSCDC Commandant over deaths of suspected illegal miners

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

The suspects were arrested during enforcement operations in the M.I Wushishi/Lokoto axis of Niger State on September 15, and 16, 2026.

The Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also ordered a full investigation into the incident.

The directive was contained in a statement signed by the Minister’s Senior Assistant on Media and Publicity Babatunde Alao and personally shared on Minister’s Facebook Page.

The reported deaths, which allegedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday, have prompted the federal government to move swiftly, with the Minister directing that circumstances surrounding the incident be subjected to a full and transparent investigation.

“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 Federal Government places the protection of human life at the centre of its security responsibilities, insisting that security operations must be conducted within the bounds of the law.

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

The NSCDC, had earlier confirmed that some of the detained suspects died in the early hours of September 17, while the actual cause of death is yet to established.Their remains were deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination.

The Minister called for calm and urged members of the public to remain law-abiding as the investigation gets underway, assuring that the process would be conducted transparently.

He commiserated with the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, as well as the families and relatives of those reported dead.

The federal government’s directive underscores its determination to establish the facts surrounding the incident and ensure that appropriate action is taken based on the outcome of the investigation.

-9News Nigeria.