The Federal Government has suspended Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners while in custody.

The government also ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which occurred in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna.

The deceased suspects were among those arrested by NSCDC personnel during enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in parts of the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.

In a statement issued on Friday by Alao Babatunde, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the government said Aniviye would remain suspended until the investigation is concluded.

“It is an unfortunate incident; however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended,” Tunji-Ojo said.

“We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this.”

The minister called on residents to remain calm and law-abiding while the investigation is conducted, assuring that the process would be transparent.

He also expressed condolences to Niger State Governor Umaru Bago and the families of the deceased.

NSCDC Reports Suspected Disease Outbreak

Aniviye had earlier said that “scores” of detained suspects were found dead in the early hours of September 17 following a suspected outbreak of disease.

He said the command carried out a “burst operation” on September 15 and 16 to tackle illegal mining in the state, resulting in the arrest of suspected illegal miners and the recovery of various exhibits.

“However, in the early hours of 17th September, 2026, scores of the detained suspects were found dead, following a suspected outbreak of disease,” Aniviye said.

He said the bodies had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to determine the actual cause of death.

The commandant added that the NSCDC was working with other security agencies and appealed for calm among the public and relatives of the deceased.

NSCDC Orders Investigation

The NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar, has meanwhile constituted a “high-powered” investigative team to probe the incident.

Babawale Afolabi, the corps’ National Public Relations Officer, said the team would be headed by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation.

Afolabi said the panel would examine the condition of the suspects at the time of arrest, their period in custody, detention conditions, medical attention provided and other circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“The team has been mandated to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the deaths, including the condition of the suspects upon arrest, their period in custody, the conditions of detention, medical attention provided, and other relevant circumstances surrounding the incident,” he said.