ABUJA — The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained 24 of its personnel in connection with the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the Corps’ custody in Niger State.
The development has intensified investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, with the suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and 23 other personnel taken into protective custody at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja.
The Corps, in a further demonstration of its response to the incident, has also ordered its flag to be flown at half-mast across all commands and formations for three days beginning Sunday, September 20, 2026, in mourning for the deceased.
The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, disclosed the latest development while parading the detained personnel at the Corps Headquarters in Abuja.
According to Afolabi, the number of personnel being held has risen from the initial 21 to 24, following the identification and suspension of three additional officers allegedly linked to the incident.
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He said the affected personnel had been taken into protective custody since September 17 and were undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary proceedings.
“All officers and men of the Niger State Command linked to the gross misconduct have, since the 17th September 2026, been taken into protective custody at the National Headquarters, Abuja,” Afolabi said.
He explained that the measure was aimed at making the personnel available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigative panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.
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NSCDC Vows Accountability
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said the investigation would be conducted in accordance with due process, transparency and accountability.
Audi stressed that any personnel found culpable would face the full weight of the Corps’ internal disciplinary procedures and applicable laws.
The NSCDC leadership also reiterated that it would not tolerate conduct capable of undermining the fundamental rights of citizens or damaging public confidence in the security agency.
The Corps said its decision to fly the flag at half-mast was intended to demonstrate institutional grief and remorse while reinforcing its determination to address misconduct within its ranks.
The NSCDC stated that it remained committed to professional ethics, human rights protection, discipline and respect for the rule of law.
How the 37 Suspected Miners Died
The 37 victims were among scores of people arrested during anti-illegal mining operations conducted by NSCDC personnel in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
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The detainees subsequently died while in NSCDC custody.
When the deaths were initially reported, the Niger State Command attributed them to a suspected disease outbreak, saying medical examinations would be conducted to establish the actual cause of death.
However, the circumstances surrounding the deaths have since generated widespread concern, prompting investigations by state and federal authorities.
The Niger State Government confirmed the deaths and constituted its own committee of inquiry, while the Federal Government also initiated investigations into the incident.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu subsequently directed a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, while the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the suspension of 20 NSCDC personnel pending investigation.
Independent Investigation Underway
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident and determine responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct, as well as recommend appropriate action.
The committee is chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General Jonathan Kure and includes legal, medical, security, media, mining and civil society representatives.
Authorities have also said forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies are being conducted to establish the scientific cause of the deaths.
Meanwhile, a new NSCDC commandant, Abdulhamid Kabara, has assumed duty in Niger State following the suspension of Aniviye.
Personnel Named
The 24 personnel identified by the NSCDC in connection with the investigation are:
- Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye — suspended Niger State Commandant
- DCC Ajayi Philips — HOD, Intelligence and Investigation
- DCC John Agrahau Chagwa — HOD, Operations
- DCC Obafemi Elvis
- ACC Stephen Tsado — Officer in Charge, Legal
- CSC Oluwadare Sunday
- CSC Annas Shittu Lamino
- SC Usman Isah Ndamaka
- DSC Aminu Sule Garba
- DSC Musa Marafa
- DSC Isah Sulaiman
- ASCI Hassan Muhammad
- ASCI Alhassan Muhammad
- Aliyu Sallah — guard duty
- IC Abdullahi Sale
- IC Mohammed N. Sonfada
- Mohammed Jiya
- Sale Adamu
- Haruna Muhammed
- CCA Baba Muhamma
- CAI Isah Sanusi
- CAI Liman Abubakar
- CAI Bala Usman
- CAI Ahmed Wushishi
The Corps attributed the inclusion of DCC Ajayi Philips and DCC John Agrahau Chagwa to alleged lack of supervision in their respective departments.
Investigation to Determine Cause of Death
The NSCDC has maintained that the investigation must be allowed to establish the precise circumstances and cause of the deaths.
The Corps said it would continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses and assured Nigerians that personnel found responsible for wrongdoing would be subjected to appropriate disciplinary and legal processes.
The deaths have generated significant public concern, particularly because the victims died while in government custody. Authorities are therefore under pressure to establish exactly what happened, determine responsibility and ensure that the outcome of the investigations is made public.
For now, the NSCDC says due process, transparency and accountability will guide the proceedings as the various investigative panels work to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners.
