Source: Africa Publicity
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested and detained 24 of its personnel, including the suspended Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, in connection with the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the Corps’ custody.
Babawale Afolabi, the NSCDC’s National Public Relations Officer, said in a statement on Sunday that Commandant-General Ahmed Audi had directed that due process, transparency and accountability be maintained throughout the investigation. The number of personnel in custody increased from 21 after three additional officers were identified and suspended.
“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,” Afolabi said.
“They are undergoing rigorous interrogation and administrative disciplinary action, so as to make them available for the presidential independent investigation committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.”
The NSCDC said the personnel would be made available to the presidential independent investigation committee and other panels investigating the deaths.
The Corps has also ordered its flag to be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days from September 20 in mourning for the victims, describing the gesture as “to signal our collective mourning and our unwavering resolve to purge the system of bad eggs.”
The deaths have prompted wider investigations by Nigerian authorities. The federal government has constituted an independent investigative committee, while police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
A surviving detainee has alleged that as many as 65 people were crammed into a single cell before operatives sprayed a substance inside and locked the door. The survivor made the allegation on Friday when Niger State Governor Umar Bago and Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo met with survivors. The allegation remains subject to investigation.
The 37 suspected miners had been arrested during anti-illegal mining operations in Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but authorities have launched investigations to establish what happened and determine responsibility.
The NSCDC has said personnel found culpable will face internal disciplinary measures and possible prosecution as the investigations continue.
