FG Suspends Niger NSCDC Commandant, Orders Probe Into 37 Miners’ Deaths

Diphtheria outbreak blamed as relatives dispute cause of deaths

By Adebola Muili

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the state.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who announced the suspension on Friday, also ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which reportedly occurred in an NSCDC detention facility in Minna.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, 2026, following the arrest of suspected illegal miners during enforcement operations conducted in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

The detainees were reportedly arrested in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto axis of Minna over alleged illegal gold mining activities.

According to reports, the bodies of the detainees were discovered in the detention facility the following morning, triggering protests in Minna by miners and sympathisers of the deceased. Cars and other property were reportedly damaged during the unrest.

The NSCDC attributed the deaths to an outbreak of diphtheria, a serious bacterial infection that can be fatal. However, relatives of some of the deceased reportedly disputed the explanation, alleging that the detainees were deliberately killed.

An intelligence report also reportedly suggested that overcrowding and poor ventilation in the detention facility may have contributed to the deaths.

The police have commenced an investigation into the incident, while the bodies of the deceased were reportedly deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for examination.

Against the backdrop of the conflicting accounts, Tunji-Ojo ordered the immediate suspension of Aniviye, saying the commandant under whose watch the incident occurred would remain suspended while the investigation is conducted.

“It is an unfortunate incident, however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended,” the minister said.

Tunji-Ojo added: “We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this.”

He urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding to allow for a transparent investigation process.

The minister also commiserated with Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the families and relatives of the deceased.

Meanwhile, Governor Bago had declared three days of mourning in the state and postponed the commencement of election campaign activities following the incident.

The Federal Government’s investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine the actual cause, while the police probe is expected to further clarify what transpired before and after the detainees’ deaths.