The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the agency’s custody.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/NBBSPIDEL.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered Aniviye’s immediate suspension pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Tunji-Ojo described the incident as unfortunate and assured Nigerians that the investigation would establish what happened and determine whether any officer or official should be held responsible.
“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.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris also promised that no person found culpable would be protected, while cautioning against reaching conclusions before the investigation was completed.
President Bola Tinubu has similarly directed the relevant authorities to conduct a full and transparent investigation into the incident.
The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and directed that the circumstances surrounding the deaths be thoroughly established.
Meanwhile, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has constituted a committee of inquiry to conduct a separate investigation into the incident.
Bago described the deaths as sad and tragic, declaring three days of mourning across the state. The state government also cancelled a scheduled political rally as a mark of respect for the deceased.
The governor subsequently imposed a 24-hour curfew across Minna after protests over the deaths turned violent.
Security agencies were directed to enforce the curfew and take necessary measures to protect lives and property throughout the state capital.
The deceased were among dozens of persons arrested during NSCDC operations conducted on September 15 and 16 at suspected illegal mining sites in the Wushishi-Lukoto area of Niger State.
They were reportedly detained at an NSCDC facility in Minna before 37 of them were found dead on Thursday.
The NSCDC initially suggested that a suspected disease outbreak might have caused the deaths. The agency later stated that the actual cause had not been established and would be determined through medical examination and investigation.
However, a survivor, Dauda Shehu, disputed the disease explanation, alleging that about 65 detainees were confined in an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell.
He suggested that the victims might have died from suffocation, an allegation that has not yet been independently established.
The conflicting accounts triggered protests by miners, relatives of the deceased and other residents, who demanded justice and accountability.
Security personnel reportedly fired tear gas to disperse protesters near the NSCDC office in Minna. There were also reports of live ammunition being discharged as the unrest escalated, while some demonstrators allegedly attempted to attack or set fire to government facilities.
Soldiers and police officers were deployed to strategic locations to restore order.
A mother of one of the deceased detainees, Shafa’atu Suleiman, alleged that relatives were prevented from providing food to the detainees and that some officials demanded ₦100,000 to secure their release.
The NSCDC had not publicly responded to the bribery allegation at the time of reporting.
Although the bodies were reportedly taken to the Minna General Hospital for possible examination, reports indicated that they were subsequently buried in accordance with Islamic rites. This has raised questions about how comprehensive forensic examinations would be conducted to determine the precise cause of death.
The Niger State Police Command has also commenced an investigation and appealed to families of the deceased and members of the public with relevant information to cooperate with investigators.
The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion.
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
