By Ahmed Liman Kingimi, Maiduguri
The Federal Government has ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, over the death of scores of suspected illegal miners in custody in Minna.
The order was given by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Thursday, September 18, 2026.
The victims, numbering over 30 according to family sources, were arrested during enforcement operations against illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi / Lukoto axis of Niger State on September 15 and 16, and reportedly died in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, in what the NSCDC initially described as a suspected disease outbreak.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, the Minister said the suspension was to allow for an unhindered 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,” Tunji-Ojo said.
“We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this.”
The Minister urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding to allow the investigative process to run its course.
He also commiserated with the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and families and relatives of the deceased.
The suspension comes 24 hours after the NSCDC headquarters constituted a high-powered investigative team led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, and deposited the corpses at the General Hospital, Minna, for autopsy to determine the actual cause of death.
The Federal Government assured that the outcome of the investigation will be made public.
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