FRI SEPT 18 2026-theGBJournal| 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 alleged deaths of suspected illegal miners in Minna.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the suspension and ordered a full investigation into the incident, which reportedly occurred in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, the Niger State capital.
According to the ministry, the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, September 18, 2026, following the arrest of suspected illegal miners during enforcement operations conducted in parts of the state on September 15 and 16.
The circumstances surrounding the reported deaths have not been fully established, with the Federal Government saying an investigation will determine what happened.
“It is an unfortunate incident, however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended,” the minister declared.
“We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this,” he added.
The suspension means the NSCDC commandant will remain out of office while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish responsibility, if any.
Mr Tunji-Ojo urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, saying this would allow the investigation to proceed transparently.
He also expressed his condolences to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and the families and relatives of those who died.
The development comes amid ongoing enforcement efforts against illegal mining activities in Niger State and other parts of Nigeria, where authorities have stepped up operations over concerns about the environmental and security consequences of unregulated mining.
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