Aniefiok Christopher
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested and detained 27 personnel in connection with the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Niger State.
A total of 37 people illegal miners arrested by officials of NSCDC during enforcement operations in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State on September 15 and 16 died in its custody.
NSCDC Spokesman, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, stated this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
The NSCDC had initially announced the detention of 21 personnel following the deaths of the miners, who died while in the custody of the Corps in Niger State.
Also read
- Oga at the top fame: After 10 years, NSCDC Officer promoted
- Four suspects of illegal Automotive Gas Oil in NSCDC’S Custody
- Outrage As Accidental Discharge By NSCDC Official Hits Teenager In Akwa Ibom
The latest arrests came as the Corps ordered its flag to fly at half-mast across all its formations for three days from Sunday, as a mark of mourning over the incident.
The development came 24 hours after the Federal Government constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had announced the committee on Saturday following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident.
Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Afolabi said the three additional personnel identified in connection with the incident had been suspended, bringing the total number of personnel in custody to 24.
The spokesman noted that all the affected officers and men of the Niger State Command had been moved to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja for interrogation and administrative disciplinary action.
He said, “As against the initial figure of 21 personnel, the Corps Public Relations Officer, three more personnel identified have also been placed on suspension, thereby bringing the total to 24 personnel.
“They are among the officers paraded at the Corps Headquarters.”
Afolabi added that the personnel would also be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.
He said, “In a swift and decisive joint operation conducted in conjunction with the Commandant General’s Special Investigation Squad, all officers and men of the Niger State Command linked to the gross misconduct have since 17th September 2026 been taken into protective custody at the National Headquarters, Abuja.
The personnel are undergoing rigorous interrogation and administrative disciplinary action, to make them available for the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.”
Similarly, the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, said the Corps would ensure due process, transparency and accountability in the investigation.
He said every personnel found culpable would face the full weight of internal disciplinary measures and the law.
“As a Corps built on integrity, professionalism, discipline, and absolute respect for the rule of law, we do not condone unprofessional conduct, high-handedness, or any action that undermines the fundamental rights of citizens or the sacred trust reposed in us,” Audi said.
The Commandant General also directed that the NSCDC flag be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days beginning Sunday.
The officers currently held include the suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye; Ajayi Philips, Head of Intelligence and Investigation; John Agrahau Chagwa, Head of Operations; Obafemi Elvis; Stephen Tsado, Officer-in-Charge of Legal; and other personnel.
The federal government’s 10-member panel is expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine the responsibilities of any individuals or institutions found to have played a role in the incident.
Tinubu directs prosecution of guilty officers
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, Tinubu said the reported deaths were a grave matter requiring urgent investigation and accountability.
Tibubu said the life of every Nigerian mattered and that no citizen should die in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.
“Where the investigation establishes that any official, through action, abuse or negligence, contributed to these deaths, such an officer must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. There must be accountability,” the President said.
Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue to combat illegal mining and other criminal activities but stressed that enforcement operations must comply with the law and respect the rights of people in custody.
“The fact that these individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not in any way remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody.
“Government will not tolerate mass deaths arising from official negligence, dereliction of duty or failure by public officials to protect the lives placed under their care,” he said.
The President directed that the investigation cover the circumstances of the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions under which they were detained, the number of people held at the facility, the medical attention provided and the events leading to their deaths.
He warned that the suspension of officers must not be regarded as a substitute for determining whether criminal responsibility exists.
“The suspension of officers is only an administrative step and must not substitute for a proper determination of criminal responsibility where the evidence warrants prosecution,” Tinubu said.
The President directed the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with the relevant investigative authorities and ensure that no officer interfered with the investigation or frustrated efforts to establish the truth.
Tinubu appealed for calm among the families and communities affected by the deaths, assuring them that the Federal Government would pursue the truth and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.
“We must never allow the pursuit of one form of illegality to create another. The government must enforce the law firmly, but it must also obey the law. The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable,” he said.
Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, subsequently confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners died in NSCDC custody, with forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies being conducted to establish the cause of the deaths.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation into the incident.
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also said nobody found culpable would be shielded, while cautioning against prejudging the outcome of the investigation.
Former Vice President and 2027 ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had also demanded accountability over the deaths, calling for an independent, thorough and transparent investigation.
Meanwhile, Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew in Niger State following protests and destruction of property linked to the deaths.
The governor said the State Transport Company’s buses, a Sterling Bank branch, political party offices and private businesses had been vandalised during the unrest.
