The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Aniviye, and 20 other officers following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the suspensions on Saturday, September 19, 2026, while constituting a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident.
The deaths occurred after NSCDC enforcement operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The committee will investigate the identities of the deceased, their arrest and detention, and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
It will also determine possible responsibility, negligence, complicity or misconduct and recommend appropriate action and compensation where applicable.
Full List of 20 Suspended NSCDC Officers
The 20 other officers suspended are:
- O/C Station Guard — SC Usman Isah Ndamaka
- Station Guard — ASCI Hassan Mohammed
- Station Guard — CCA Bala Mohammed
- Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation — CSC Oluwadare Sunday
- Arresting Officer — DCC Obafemi Elvis
- Arresting Officer — CSC Annas Shitto Lamino
- HOD INT/INV — DCC Philip Ajayi
- O/C Legal — ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado
- Night Duty Officer — ASCI Alhassan Mohammed
- Guard Duty — IC Abdullahi Sale
- Guard Duty — IC Mohammed Sonfada
- Guard Duty — CAI Liman Abubakar
- Guard Duty — CAI Bala Usman
- Guard Duty — IC Mohammed Jiya
- Guard Duty — DSC Isah Suleiman
- Guard Duty — CAI Ahmed Wushishi
- Guard Duty — IC Sale Adamu
- Guard Duty — IC Haruna Mohammed
- Guard Duty — ASCI Aliyu Sallah
- Guard Duty — CAI Isah Sanusi
The names were released by the Ministry of Interior as part of the investigation into the deaths.
Cause of Death Remains Unconfirmed
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak and said the bodies had been taken to a hospital for medical examination.
However, the actual cause of death remains unconfirmed. Survivors have raised concerns about overcrowding and poor ventilation, but these accounts remain subject to investigation.
The incident triggered protests in Minna, leading the Niger State Government to impose a curfew.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed a comprehensive and transparent investigation, while Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has also established a state-level inquiry.
The federal committee has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
