The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following the deaths of dozens of suspected illegal miners while in custody.
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The suspension comes after the suspects reportedly died in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto area of Minna, the state capital. The deaths occurred in the early hours of Thursday, following the arrest of the suspects during enforcement operations carried out in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.
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In the early hours of September 17, scores of the detained suspects were discovered dead, in what authorities believe may have been linked to a disease outbreak among those held in custody. The bodies of the deceased have since been taken to the General Hospital in Minna for further medical examination to determine the exact cause of death.
In a statement released through his media aide, Babatunde Alao, the Minister described the incident as unfortunate but pledged that a full investigation would be carried out, while confirming that the commandant overseeing the facility at the time remains suspended pending that inquiry.
“It is an unfortunate incident, however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended. We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this,” the statement read.
Tunji-Ojo called on members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding as the investigation proceeds transparently. He also extended condolences to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, as well as to the families and relatives of those who died.
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