Suspended NSCDC Commandant Apologises Over Deaths of 37 Miners in Custody

The suspended Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, has admitted that the deaths of suspected illegal miners in the corps’ custody could have been prevented, expressing regret and apologising to the victims’ families and the Niger State Government.

Aniviye tendered the apology while testifying before the Justice Muhammad Muhammad Commission of Inquiry in Minna, which is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 37 detainees in September 2026.

Describing the incident as a costly mistake, the former commandant said he regretted that the deaths occurred during his tenure and apologised to the parents of the deceased, the people and government of Niger State.

He told the commission that he assumed duty as the state commandant on August 25, 2025, and remained in office until September 18, 2026.

According to Aniviye, the operation that led to the arrests followed written and verbal complaints from residents around the M. I. Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna, who alleged that mining activities were disrupting their community.

He said he visited the site on September 15, 2026, before directing the command’s Head of Operations, Assistant Commandant of Corps Joha Achagwa, to act on the complaints. The Mining Marshal Unit was subsequently deployed, leading to the arrest of suspected illegal miners on the evening of September 16.

Aniviye said he learnt of the deaths the following day through a telephone call. On returning to the command headquarters, he found several bodies on the floor of the detention cell.

He added that he contacted Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, who directed that the bodies be taken to a hospital. He also informed the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services.

The suspended commandant further told the inquiry that arrangements had been made to arraign the suspects in court on September 17 before the deaths occurred.

However, testimony from the suspended head of the NSCDC legal unit, Assistant Commandant of Corps Stephen Tsado, raised questions about the handling of minors arrested during the operation.

Tsado told the commission that he had advised Aniviye to release the underage suspects to their parents on bail but that his recommendation was not implemented.

The inquiry also heard from Maryam Etang, a nurse attached to the NSCDC medical unit, who said she visited the detention cell as part of her routine duties on September 16 and 17. She reported that one suspect was coughing seriously on September 17, around the time the bodies were being removed.

Etang also said she was shocked to find the body of Emeka Emmanuel among those removed from the cell, insisting that he was not among the miners arrested during the operation.

The commission is examining the circumstances of the deaths, the treatment of detainees and possible lapses in the operation and detention procedures.

The Federal Government suspended Aniviye and other NSCDC officers following the incident and ordered investigations into the deaths. President Bola Tinubu also directed a full and transparent probe.

The deaths sparked protests in Minna, prompting the Niger State Government to impose a curfew. The inquiry is expected to establish what happened and determine whether any officials or personnel should be held accountable.