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Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, after several suspected illegal miners allegedly died while in custody in Minna, the Niger State capital.
The development was contained in a press release signed by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, and made public on Thursday in Abuja.
The incident reportedly occurred early Thursday following the apprehension of the suspects during anti-illegal mining operations carried out across parts of Niger State between September 15 and 16, 2026.
Reiterating the administration’s stance on accountability, Tunji-Ojo stated, “It is an unfortunate incident; however, a full-scale investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended.”
He added, “we run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives, and we have worked to stay true to this.”
The minister appealed to citizens to stay calm and cooperate with authorities as inquiries proceed, while offering condolences to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State and the families of the deceased.
Providing further details in a follow-up statement released Friday morning, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, ACC Babawale Afolabi, confirmed that the minister instructed the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to initiate a thorough, transparent, and unhindered probe into the deaths at the Niger State Command.
Following the ministerial mandate, the Commandant General directed the suspended state commandant to vacate his post immediately and report to the National Headquarters in Abuja alongside his Heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence, and Investigation to appear before a panel of inquiry. A replacement commandant has been posted to take over command of the Niger State headquarters.
The NSCDC assured the public that no effort would be spared during the inquiry, warning that any personnel found guilty of violating standard operating procedures or extant laws will face severe administrative, disciplinary, and legal consequences.
The Corps reaffirmed its pledge to protect fundamental human rights and ensure that enforcement duties against illegal mining and critical asset vandalism strictly adhere to professional standards.
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