The Federal Government has ordered a full investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Niger State, suspending the state commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, with immediate effect.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the suspension following reports that a number of suspected illegal miners died in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, the Niger State capital.
The deaths reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday, days after the miners were arrested during enforcement operations carried out in parts of the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.
The Minister, in a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, called the incident unfortunate and said the commandant under whose watch it happened would remain suspended while a full investigation is carried out.
He said the government’s top priority remains the security of lives, adding that this has guided its actions throughout.
Tunji-Ojo appealed to members of the public to stay calm and law-abiding to allow the investigation to proceed transparently.
He also extended condolences to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago as well as the families and relatives of those who died.
