T he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested and detained 24 personnel of the Corps found culpable in the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State.
The Corps Public Relations Officer, ACC Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this while parading the officers and men at the Corps Headquarters in Abuja, adding that three more personnel identified have also been placed on suspension in addition to the initial 21, thereby, bringing the number of those in detention to 24.
Last week, 37 artisanal miners were reported dead in the custody of the NSCDC in Minna, Niger State.
Daily Trust had reported how the miners, including teenagers, were arrested on September 15 and 16 by NSCDC operatives over allegations of illegal mining.
According to the now-suspended state commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, the suspects died after a suspected disease outbreak in the facility in the early hours of Thursday.
The deaths had led to an uproar across the country, with the Federal Government and other groups calling for an independent investigation.
The spokesman explained that, “in a swift and decisive joint operation conducted in conjunction with the Commandant General’s Special Investigation Squad (SIS), all officers and men of the Niger State Command linked to the gross misconduct have since, on the 17th September 2026, been taken into protective custody at the National Headquarters, Abuja, where they are undergoing rigorous interrogation and administrative disciplinary action, to make them available for the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.”
According to him, the Commandant General has ordered that the NSCDC flag be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days, starting from Sunday, 20th September 2026, “to signal our collective mourning and our unwavering resolve to purge the system of bad eggs”.
The PRO quoted the Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, as saying, “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.”
He pledged on behalf of the Corps to continue to keep the public abreast on the outcome of the investigation, adding that the leadership of the NSCDC remains unwavering in its commitment to transparency, human rights protection, and professional ethics.
According to him, the names of the officers held in custody in connection with the event are Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye (SN: 3465) – suspended NSCDC Niger State Commandant, DCC. Ajayi Philips (SN: 19546) – HOD Intelligence and Investigation (Remark: Lack of supervision), DCC; John Agrahau Chagwa (SN: 1571) HOD Operations (Remark: lack of supervision), DCC. Obafemi Elvis (SN: 26234), ACC Stephen Tsado (SN: 19057) – O/C Legal, CSC Oluwadare Sunday (SN: 12648), CSC Annas Shittu Lamino (SN: 28882), SC Usman Isah Ndamaka (SN: 70016) and DSC Aminu Sule Garba (SN: 66281).
Others are DSC Musa Marafa (SN: 66580), DSC. Isah Sulaiman (SN: 44377), ASCI. Hassan Muhammad (SN: 56218), ASCI. Alhassan Muhammad (SN: 14232), Aliyu Sallah (SN: 67130) – Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale (SN: 41683), IC Mohammed N. Sonfada (SN: 74351), Mohammed Jiya and Sale Adamu (SN: 46400).
Haruna Muhammed (SN: 52659), CCA Baba Muhamma (SN:44273), CAI Isah Sanusi (SN: 78586), CAI Liman Abubakar (SN: 72017), CAI Bala Usman (SN: 76178) and CAI Ahmed Wushishi (SN: 70502) complete the list.
Survivor alleged substance was sprayed inside cell – Gov Bago
The Niger State Government has said investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the NSCDC, with Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago saying survivors had alleged overcrowding, poor ventilation and the spraying of an unidentified substance.
Bago, while speaking in an interview with the BBC, said some survivors reported that an unidentified substance was sprayed in the room where they were detained, causing people to cough and choke.
“One of the survivors, who is currently with the DSS, said a man came into their room where they were detained and sprayed something like perfume. Then people started coughing and choking,” the governor said.
He added that some survivors described the substance as similar to pepper and suggested that it could have been tear gas or another chemical substance.
However, the BBC said it could not independently verify the claims.
According to Bago, some survivors also said the room was overcrowded and poorly ventilated, leaving detainees struggling to breathe.
“Some said they even drank their own urine because they were thirsty. Others said they put their noses under the door to get air,” Bago said.
He said some detainees collapsed and died amid the heat and lack of air, while others placed in different rooms reportedly survived.
Bago said he was initially unaware of the arrests and only learnt about the deaths after the incident.
He said the state government should not be held responsible because the NSCDC is a federal agency and does not operate under the control of the state government.
“The NSCDC does not require the governor’s permission to arrest people, particularly when the matter falls within its jurisdiction,” he said.
“Mining and the fight against illegal mining are among the responsibilities of the NSCDC.”
The governor said he visited the detention facility after learning about the deaths and later went to the General Hospital in Minna, where the bodies were taken.
“Thirty-seven people died. When we arrived at the place, we confirmed that they were dead. Some of those we saw had peeling skin, some were swollen, some had foam coming out of their mouths, while others were bleeding from their noses and mouths. It was disturbing,” he said.
Bago said doctors were brought in and samples collected to help determine the cause of death, while autopsies had also been conducted on some of the bodies.
He said the circumstances surrounding the deaths remained unclear and that several possibilities were being investigated.
“But all of these are allegations that must be investigated,” he said.
Bago said several committees had been constituted to investigate the incident, including panels involving the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and the state government.
He said the Inspector-General of Police had also inaugurated a separate committee, while the Minister of Interior had visited the state with officials from relevant agencies.
According to him, personnel working at the facility, except the head of the facility, had been suspended to prevent interference with the investigation.
“This matter raises serious questions. It must be investigated so that we know exactly what happened,” he said.
Bago also raised questions about the number of people arrested and the exact number of detainees in the room where most of the deaths occurred.
He said the state government had heard that more than 67 people were arrested, while 37 died.
“We want to establish exactly how many people were arrested. We are still investigating that,” he said.
The governor said some relatives of the deceased were unaware that their children had died until they arrived at the facility and later identified their bodies.
Bago also said the incident highlighted the wider problem of illegal mining in Niger State and other parts of the country.
He said although illegal mining was against the law, many young people and families were involved in the activity as a means of livelihood.
According to him, the miners themselves often make little money, while middlemen who buy the minerals benefit more.
“Most of the people who engage in this mining activity do not actually make much money,” he said.
“The middlemen who come to buy the minerals from them are the ones who make the money. The miners themselves are paid very little for what they find.”
The governor also expressed concern that mining activities were affecting school attendance in communities where the practice was widespread.
He explained that children were abandoning school to search for minerals, while women and other family members were also participating in the activities.
Bago said the state government had been seeking partnerships to develop the mining sector in a regulated manner that could create jobs and improve livelihoods.
He said the state government would support families of victims once those affected had been properly identified.
“Thirty-seven people have died. Can we simply remain silent?” he asked, adding that the investigation would establish what happened.
The governor said the matter would be pursued to its logical conclusion and that the findings of the investigations would provide answers on the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Credit to our Media Partner DailyTrust .
