FG suspends government official
The Federal Government has suspended the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) commandant in Niger State, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were in the custody of the agency.
The government also ordered a full investigation into the circumstances that led to the deaths, which were reported around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, the Niger State capital.
The suspects were arrested during enforcement operations carried out by the NSCDC across parts of the state on September 15 and 16, 2026, as part of efforts to tackle illegal mining activities.
The suspension of Aniviye was announced by the Federal Government on Friday through Alao Babatunde, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The minister ordered that the commandant remain suspended while investigators examine what happened to the suspects during and after their arrest.
Tunji-Ojo called for calm from residents and urged members of the public to remain law-abiding while the investigation is carried out.
He also expressed condolences to Umaru Bago, Governor of Niger State, as well as the families and relatives of those who died.
The development followed an earlier statement by Aniviye that a number of detained suspects had been found dead in the early hours of September 17.
The suspended commandant said the deaths were suspected to have resulted from an outbreak of disease among the detainees.
According to the account from the Niger State NSCDC command, officers had carried out operations on September 15 and 16 to arrest suspected illegal miners and remove illegal mining activities from parts of the state.
The operation reportedly led to the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of various items linked to the activities being investigated.
The bodies of those who died were taken to the General Hospital in Minna for medical examination as authorities sought to determine the actual cause of death.
Meanwhile, the NSCDC command has set up an investigative panel to examine the incident.
The commandant-general of the corps, Ahmed Abubakar, directed the formation of the team to establish what happened before and during the period the suspects were held in custody.
The panel is being led by the deputy commandant-general responsible for intelligence and investigation.
Investigators are expected to examine the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, the length of time they spent in custody, the conditions under which they were detained and the medical attention they received.
The investigation will also cover other circumstances surrounding the deaths as the authorities seek to establish what led to the incident.
