“NSCDC Detains Suspended Niger Commandant, 23 Others Over Deaths Of 37 Miners” — Officers Face Interrogation, Possible Prosecution

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has detained 24 of its personnel, including the suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye, in connection with the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Corps in Niger State.

The affected officers were paraded at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja as the Corps intensified its internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which have triggered widespread public outrage and demands for accountability.

The Corps also ordered its service flag to be flown at half-mast across all commands and formations for three days, beginning Sunday, September 20, 2026, in what it described as a mark of mourning, institutional remorse and disapproval of the incident.

Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said the investigation would be guided by due process, transparency and accountability, stressing that any personnel found culpable would face both internal disciplinary measures and the law.

The Corps Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, said the number of personnel being held had risen from the initial 21 to 24 after three additional officers were identified and suspended.

According to him, the officers and men linked to the incident had been taken into what the Corps described as “protective custody” at its Abuja headquarters since September 17, where they were undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary proceedings.

Afolabi said the action followed a joint operation involving the Commandant General’s Special Investigation Squad.

He added that the personnel would also be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigative panels examining the deaths for further questioning and possible prosecution where evidence establishes criminal responsibility.

“In a swift and decisive joint operation conducted in conjunction with the Commandant General’s Special Investigation Squad, all officers and men of the Niger State Command linked to the gross misconduct have, since the 17th September 2026, been taken into protective custody at the National Headquarters, Abuja,” the Corps said.

It added that the personnel were undergoing “rigorous interrogation and administrative disciplinary action” to ensure their availability to the various investigative bodies.

The 24 personnel listed in connection with the matter are Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye, the suspended Niger State Commandant; DCC Ajayi Philips, Head of Department, Intelligence and Investigation; DCC John Agrahau Chagwa, Head of Department, Operations; DCC Obafemi Elvis; ACC Stephen Tsado, Officer in Charge, Legal; CSC Oluwadare Sunday; CSC Annas Shittu Lamino; SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; DSC Aminu Sule Garba; DSC Musa Marafa; DSC Isah Sulaiman; ASCI Hassan Muhammad; ASCI Alhassan Muhammad; Aliyu Sallah; IC Abdullahi Sale; IC Mohammed N. Sonfada; Mohammed Jiya; Sale Adamu; Haruna Muhammed; CCA Baba Muhamma; CAI Isah Sanusi; CAI Liman Abubakar; CAI Bala Usman; and CAI Ahmed Wushishi.

The Corps said DCC Ajayi Philips and DCC John Agrahau Chagwa were included in the investigation over what it described as “lack of supervision” in their respective departments.

The disciplinary action followed the deaths of 37 detainees who had been arrested during NSCDC anti-illegal mining operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

The victims died shortly after being taken into custody, prompting protests, calls for independent investigations and questions over the conditions under which they were detained.

The NSCDC had initially linked the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak and said the bodies had been deposited for medical examination to establish the actual cause of death.

The precise medical cause of the deaths has, however, not yet been conclusively established.

The incident has since attracted investigations beyond the NSCDC’s internal process, including a Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other panels expected to determine the circumstances of the arrests, detention and deaths, as well as whether any officer or institution bears criminal or administrative responsibility.

Afolabi said the decision to lower the NSCDC flag was intended to demonstrate the Corps’ grief over the deaths and its determination to address any misconduct uncovered by the investigation.

“As a Corps built on integrity, professionalism, discipline, and absolute respect for the rule of law, we do not condone unprofessional conduct, high-handedness, or any action that undermines the fundamental rights of citizens or the sacred trust reposed in us,” the Corps said.

The NSCDC also pledged to keep Nigerians informed about the outcome of the investigations, while reiterating its commitment to human-rights protection, professional ethics and accountability.

The detention and suspension of the 24 personnel do not, at this stage, amount to a finding of criminal guilt against them. Any criminal liability will depend on the evidence produced by the investigations and subsequent legal proceedings.