The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, to step aside pending a full investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners allegedly while in the custody of the Corps.
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The development followed reports that the suspected miners, who were arrested during enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026, died in the early hours of Thursday around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, the state capital.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, Tunji-Ojo said the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be thoroughly investigated while the commandant under whose watch the incident occurred remains out of office.
“It is an unfortunate incident; however, a full-scale investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended,” the minister said.
He stressed that the protection of lives remained a priority of the Federal Government.
“We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives, and we have worked to stay true to this,” he added.
Tunji-Ojo appealed to residents of Niger State to remain calm and law-abiding while the investigation continues, assuring that the process would be transparent.
The minister also expressed condolences to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago as well as the families and relatives of those who died.
Following the minister’s directive, the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ordered a detailed investigation into the incident.
The Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, ACC Babawale Afolabi, said in a statement issued on Friday that the Niger State Commandant had been directed to report immediately to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja to appear before a panel of inquiry.
According to the Corps, Aniviye is to appear before the panel alongside the Heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation of the Niger State Command.
The NSCDC has also deployed a new commandant to take charge of the Niger State Command with immediate effect while the inquiry is ongoing.
The investigation is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and establish whether any officer or personnel breached the law, operational guidelines or established procedures.
The Corps said any personnel found culpable would face appropriate administrative or disciplinary action and, where the facts disclose criminal wrongdoing, possible criminal sanctions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The NSCDC also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of persons in its custody.
While maintaining that enforcement operations against illegal mining and the protection of critical national assets would continue, the Corps stressed that such operations must be conducted within the law and in accordance with established professional standards.
The directive to remove the commandant from active duty pending investigation comes as authorities seek to establish how the suspected illegal miners died after their reported arrest and whether any officer bears responsibility for the incident.
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