Niger NSCDC Chief Ordered To Step Aside Over Miners’ Deaths

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, to step aside following the deaths of suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Corps.

The directive was issued after the suspected miners reportedly died following enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.

The deaths were said to have occurred in the early hours of Thursday around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, the Niger State capital. The incident has raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the detention and deaths of the suspects.

Tunji-Ojo described the development as unfortunate and ordered a full-scale investigation into what happened. He said the Niger State commandant would remain suspended while the investigation was conducted.

“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.

The minister stressed that the government’s ultimate responsibility was the protection of human lives. He called on residents of the state to remain calm and law-abiding while the investigation continues, assuring them that the process would be transparent.

Tunji-Ojo also expressed condolences to Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, as well as the families and relatives of the deceased.

Following the minister’s directive, the NSCDC Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ordered the Niger State commandant to report immediately to the Corps’ national headquarters in Abuja.

An inquiry panel has been constituted to investigate the incident, and Aniviye is expected to appear before the panel alongside the Heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation of the Niger State Command.

The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Friday.

Afolabi said the Corps had also deployed a new commandant to take charge of the Niger State Command with immediate effect, ensuring that the operations of the command continued despite the leadership change.

The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether any NSCDC personnel breached the law, operational procedures or established professional standards.

The Corps stated that any personnel found culpable of wrongdoing would face appropriate sanctions after the conclusion of the investigation.

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