The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained 24 personnel, including the suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye, over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were in the custody of the corps in Niger State.
The personnel were taken into protective custody at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja following the deaths, while three additional officers were suspended in connection with the incident.
The Corps Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this on Sunday, saying the personnel were paraded at the corps headquarters alongside others linked to the incident.
Afolabi said the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had assured that due process, transparency and accountability would be strictly followed in the investigation.
He added that any personnel found culpable would face internal disciplinary measures as well as the full weight of the law.
“In a swift and decisive joint operation conducted in conjunction with the Commandant General’s Special Investigation Squad (SIS) all officers and men of the Niger State Command linked to the gross misconduct have since on the 17th September 2026 been taken into protective custody at the National Headquarters, Abuja, where they are undergoing rigorous interrogation and administrative disciplinary action, so as to make them available for the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.”
The NSCDC spokesman said the Commandant-General had also ordered that the corps’ flag be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days, beginning from Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Afolabi pledged that the corps would continue to keep the public informed about the outcome of the investigation.
The personnel listed as being in custody are:
* Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye (SN: 3465) – suspended NSCDC Niger State Commandant
* DCC Ajayi Philips (SN: 19546) – HOD, Intelligence and Investigation; remark: lack of supervision
* DCC John Agrahau Chagwa (SN: 1571) – HOD, Operations; remark: lack of supervision
* DCC Obafemi Elvis (SN: 26234)
* ACC Stephen Tsado (SN: 19057) – O/C Legal
* CSC Oluwadare Sunday (SN: 12648)
* CSC Annas Shittu Lamino (SN: 28882)
* SC Usman Isah Ndamaka (SN: 70016)
* DSC Aminu Sule Garba (SN: 66281)
* DSC Musa Marafa (SN: 66580)
* DSC Isah Sulaiman (SN: 44377)
* ASCI Hassan Muhammad (SN: 56218)
* ASCI Alhassan Muhammad (SN: 14232)
* Aliyu Sallah (SN: 67130) – Guard Duty
* IC Abdullahi Sale (SN: 41683)
* IC Mohammed N. Sonfada (SN: 74351)
* Mohammed Jiya
* Sale Adamu (SN: 46400)
* Haruna Muhammed (SN: 52659)
* CCA Baba Muhamma (SN: 44273)
* CAI Isah Sanusi (SN: 78586)
* CAI Liman Abubakar (SN: 72017)
* CAI Bala Usman (SN: 76178)
* CAI Ahmed Wushishi (SN: 70502)
The deaths occurred after the suspected illegal miners were arrested during NSCDC operations in Niger State. The corps had initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, saying the actual cause would be established through medical examination.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether any of the detained personnel bear responsibility for the incident.
