The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following the reported deaths of suspected illegal miners in the state.
The suspension was ordered by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, after the miners reportedly died while in the custody of the Corps.
The incident allegedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, Niger State, following enforcement operations carried out against suspected illegal miners on September 15 and 16, 2026.
The minister’s decision was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde.
Tunji-Ojo described the incident as unfortunate and said a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to establish what happened.
“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 protecting lives remained a central responsibility of government and appealed to residents to remain calm and law-abiding while the investigation proceeds.
The minister also expressed condolences to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and the families and relatives of those who died.
In a separate statement on Friday, NSCDC spokesman, ACC Babawale Afolabi, said the Commandant General, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had been directed to conduct a full, transparent and unhindered inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Following the directive, Audi ordered Aniviye to immediately step aside and report to the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.
The state commandant is to appear before an inquiry panel alongside the Heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation.
The NSCDC said a new commandant had also been instructed to proceed to Niger State and take over the command immediately.
According to the Corps, the investigation will determine whether any personnel violated the law, established procedures or professional standards.
It said officers found culpable would face appropriate administrative or disciplinary action and, where applicable, criminal sanctions under relevant laws and regulations.
The NSCDC reaffirmed that while its enforcement activities against illegal mining and its statutory responsibility to protect critical national assets would continue, such operations must be conducted within the law.
The Corps also reiterated its commitment to protecting the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of persons in its custody.
