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 custody of the Corps.
The suspension was ordered by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, after the incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday at the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, Niger State.
The suspected illegal miners were said to have been arrested during enforcement operations conducted in parts of the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.
The minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday.
Tunji-Ojo described the incident as unfortunate and directed that a full-scale investigation be 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.
He added: “We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives, and we have worked to stay true to this.”
The minister appealed to members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding while the investigation is conducted.
He also commiserated with the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, as well as the families and relatives of the deceased.
In a separate statement on Friday, the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, ACC Babawale Afolabi, said the Commandant General, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had been directed to conduct a full, transparent and unhindered investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Afolabi said the Commandant General, acting on the minister’s directive, ordered Aniviye to immediately step aside and report to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja.
The Niger State Commandant is expected to appear before a panel of inquiry alongside the heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation.
The Corps also said a new commandant had been directed to proceed to Niger State and take over the command immediately.
The NSCDC warned that any officer found to have acted contrary to the law, established procedures or professional standards would face appropriate administrative and disciplinary measures and, where applicable, criminal sanctions.
The Corps reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of every person in its custody.
It also maintained that its enforcement operations against illegal mining and protection of critical national assets would continue to be carried out in line with the law and established professional standards.
