Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following the deaths of suspected illegal miners who were being held in the Corps’ custody in Minna.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which were discovered in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The decision follows growing concern over the deaths of detainees arrested during NSCDC enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in Niger State.
The suspects were arrested during operations conducted on September 15 and 16 around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state, according to the NSCDC.
Commandant Suspended Pending Investigation
Tunji-Ojo said the Niger State commandant would remain suspended while investigators establish what happened to the detainees.
The minister described the incident as unfortunate and said the government’s priority was the protection of lives.
He also appealed for calm, urging members of the public and affected families to allow the investigation to proceed.
The suspension does not, by itself, establish responsibility for the deaths. The investigation is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the detention, the condition of the suspects and what happened before their deaths.
Death Toll Remains Subject to Verification
Reports about the number of deceased suspects have varied.
Initial reports on September 17 put the number at 33 suspected illegal miners, while subsequent reports have cited higher figures. The Associated Press reported on September 18 that at least 37 people arrested over alleged illegal mining had died in custody.
The NSCDC, however, initially described the victims as “scores” of detained suspects rather than providing a definitive number.
The Corps said some of the suspects were found dead following what it described as a suspected outbreak of disease.
Because medical investigations were still ongoing, the precise number of deaths and their cause should be treated separately from the early figures reported by various media organisations.
NSCDC Says Cause of Death Has Not Been Established
The NSCDC has cautioned against prematurely attributing the deaths to a particular disease.
The Corps said the actual cause remained subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.
The bodies were deposited at the General Hospital in Minna for medical examination, with the results expected to help establish what caused the deaths.
This clarification is significant because some early reports attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, while other accounts raised different possibilities.
At this stage, there is no verified medical finding in the available reporting establishing a definitive cause of death.
NSCDC Opens High-Level Investigation
The NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ordered a high-powered investigative team to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The team is being led by the Deputy Commandant-General responsible for Intelligence and Investigation.
The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances of the arrests and detention, the condition of the suspects when they were taken into custody, their treatment while detained and the medical attention available to them.
The development means that both the administrative suspension and the internal NSCDC investigation are now part of a wider effort to establish what happened.
Police Also Investigate Deaths
The Niger State Police Command has also commenced an investigation into the incident.
According to reports, the state Commissioner of Police directed the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna to take charge of the inquiry and determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Police also appealed to relatives and members of the public who may have relevant information to assist investigators.
The parallel investigations by the security authorities are expected to provide additional information about the circumstances of the incident.
How the Incident Began
The deaths followed NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities in Niger State.
The Corps said the operations took place on September 15 and 16 around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto axis.
According to the NSCDC Niger State Command, the operations resulted in the arrest of scores of suspected illegal miners and the recovery of various exhibits.
The detainees were subsequently held at an NSCDC facility in Minna.
It was during the early hours of September 17 that several detainees were found dead.
The incident immediately triggered concern in the state and prompted calls for clarification over what occurred while the suspects were in custody.
Questions Around Custody and Duty of Care
The deaths have placed renewed attention on the responsibility of security agencies when people are held in custody.
Regardless of the eventual medical explanation, detainees remain under the responsibility of the institution holding them. This makes questions about detention conditions, access to medical attention, supervision and emergency response central to any investigation.
The NSCDC’s own investigation is expected to address several of these issues.
Reports have also carried accounts from people connected to the incident alleging overcrowding and poor ventilation, but such claims have not been established as facts and should form part of the investigation rather than be treated as a confirmed explanation for the deaths.
The medical examination and official investigations will therefore be important in separating verified evidence from early claims and speculation.
Illegal Mining and Security Concerns in Niger State
The incident occurred against the background of continued government efforts to tackle illegal mining in Nigeria.
Illegal mining has become a significant concern for authorities because of its potential environmental, economic and security consequences.
The Federal Government and security agencies have increased enforcement against unlicensed mining activities, including through specialised operations intended to protect mining sites and prevent unlawful exploitation of mineral resources.
The NSCDC has also been involved in protecting critical national assets and supporting enforcement operations connected to the mining sector.
The Niger State Command had continued to conduct enforcement activities in the weeks preceding the deaths, including warnings against the vandalisation of critical infrastructure.
Why the Investigation Matters
The deaths matter beyond the immediate incident because they involve people who died while in the custody of a government security agency.
A transparent investigation could help establish whether the deaths resulted from illness, environmental or medical conditions, detention-related factors, or another cause.
It could also determine whether established procedures were followed during the arrests and detention of the suspects.
For the families of those who died, establishing the facts is essential to understanding what happened to their relatives.
For security agencies, the outcome could also have implications for detention procedures, medical screening, emergency response and accountability.
Government Seeks Calm
The Interior Ministry has called for calm while the investigation proceeds.
The NSCDC has similarly appealed to the families of the deceased and members of the public to avoid actions capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The Corps also expressed condolences to the families and reaffirmed its stated commitment to human rights and the protection of lives and property.
The appeals come as authorities attempt to establish the facts surrounding an incident that has generated public concern in Niger State.
What Happens Next
The immediate focus is expected to remain on the investigations and medical examinations.
The investigative teams will need to establish the confirmed number of deaths, the medical cause of death and the circumstances under which the detainees became critically ill or died.
The suspended Niger State NSCDC commandant is expected to remain away from operational duties while the investigation proceeds, according to the reported directive from the Interior Ministry.
The findings could determine whether further administrative or legal action is required.
For now, the authorities have not established a final cause of death, and claims linking the deaths to a particular disease remain subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.
Weng Global will continue to distinguish confirmed findings from preliminary reports as the investigation develops.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Associated Press (AP) — Updated reporting on the deaths of suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody and the continuing uncertainty over the cause of death.
- Punch — Reporting on the NSCDC investigation and the arrests conducted in Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.
- Channels Television — Report confirming the deaths and the NSCDC’s account of the suspected disease outbreak and medical examination.
- The Guardian Nigeria — Report on the high-powered investigation ordered by the NSCDC Commandant-General.
- TheCable — Report on the deaths of suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody and the account provided by the Niger State command.
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