Niger Sets Up Inquiry Into Death Of 37 Alleged Illegal Miners In NSCDC Custody

The Niger State Government has constituted a committee of inquiry to determine the cause of death of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, announced this on Thursday, September 17, 2026, during a press conference on the incident.

According to a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the committee will be chaired by the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, while the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, will serve as secretary.

Bago also disclosed that the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and the NSCDC had constituted their own committees to investigate the deaths.

He said forensic examinations and autopsies would be conducted on the deceased to establish the exact cause of death and determine the next line of action.

“The forensic audit and autopsy will be carried out on the victims to know the exact cause of death and consequently take necessary action,” the governor said.

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Bago further disclosed that the NSCDC Commandant General had suspended the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and his team to allow for a proper investigation.

The governor described the incident as “unfortunate and tragic” and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.

He assured the affected families that the state government would get to the root of the matter, stressing that his administration would not tolerate injustice.

He said the government “value the lives of its citizens” and would ensure that the incident was investigated “to a logical conclusion.”

The governor also disclosed that the state government was compiling a register of the families of those who died, with plans to commiserate with them.

He appealed to the families to remain patient as the government works to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Meanwhile, Bago ordered the closure of all illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi mining site.

He warned that anyone found violating the directive would be prosecuted, while experts from Abuja would be invited to analyse the site.

The governor also appealed to residents, particularly youths, to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their hands.

He urged them to allow the relevant authorities to investigate the incident and take appropriate action.