The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and 20 other officers pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the Corps’ custody.
The fatalities occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026, after the suspects were arrested during anti-illegal mining operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The suspended Commandant is Suberu Siyaka Aniviye (also referred to as Suberu Aniviye).
Suspended officers (in addition to the Commandant):SC Usman Isah Ndamaka – Officer-in-Charge, Station Guard
ASCI Hassan Mohammed – Station Guard
CCA Bala Mohammed – Station Guard
CSC Oluwadare Sunday – Arresting Officer / Officer-in-Charge, Investigation
DCC Obafemi Elvis – Arresting Officer
CSC Annas Shitto Lamino – Arresting Officer
DCC Philip Ajayi – Head of Intelligence/Investigation
ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado – Officer-in-Charge, Legal
ASCI Alhassan Mohammed – Day/Night Duty Officer
IC Abdullahi Sale – Guard Duty
IC Mohammed Sonfada – Guard Duty
CAI Liman Abubakar – Guard Duty
CAI Bala Usman – Guard Duty
IC Mohammed Jiya – Guard Duty
DSC Isah Suleiman – Guard Duty
CAI Ahmed Wushishi – Guard Duty
IC Sale Adamu – Guard Duty
IC Haruna Mohammed – Guard Duty
ASCI Aliyu Sallah – Guard Duty
CAI Isah Sanusi – Guard Duty
The suspensions follow a directive from President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered probe.
The President ordered that any official found culpable of abuse or negligence that contributed to the deaths should face arrest and prosecution.
10-member independent probe panel:
Jonathan Kure, mni (retired Deputy Director-General, Department of State Services) – Chairman
Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School – Secretary
AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired)
Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital
Representative of the Minna Emirate Council
Representative of the Niger State Government
Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria
Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist
Zainab Suleiman Okino, Blueprint Newspaper
Dr. George Agbakahi, public affairs analyst
The panel has two weeks to establish the identities of the deceased, examine the circumstances of their arrest and detention, determine the cause of death, assign responsibility or negligence, and recommend appropriate actions, including compensation where necessary.
It may co-opt experts, access relevant facilities and documents, visit locations linked to the incident, and receive public memoranda.
Tunji-Ojo directed full cooperation from NSCDC leadership and ordered the preservation of all related records and evidence, warning that any attempt to obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
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