The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has publicly paraded Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, the suspended Niger State Commandant, and 23 other personnel at its national headquarters in Abuja over the deaths of suspected illegal miners who were in the Corps' custody in Niger State.
Three Additional Personnel Suspended
The Corps Public Relations Officer, ACC Babawale Afolabi, confirmed that three additional personnel had been suspended in connection with the tragedy beyond those already identified earlier. As reported by Daily Trust, Afolabi announced the development on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
According to Afolabi, a joint operation carried out by the Commandant General's Special Investigation Squad (SIS) resulted in all officers and men of the Niger State Command linked to the misconduct being taken into protective custody at the national headquarters on September 17, 2026.
Interrogation and Disciplinary Action
He said the personnel are undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary action, and will be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Commandant-General Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi gave assurances that the investigation would follow due process and be conducted with full transparency and accountability, adding that any personnel found culpable would face both internal disciplinary measures and the full force of the law.
List of Personnel Named
The 24 personnel named in connection with the incident include Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye (SN: 3465); DCC Ajayi Philips (SN: 19546), cited for lack of supervision as Head of Intelligence and Investigation; DCC John Agrahau Chagwa (SN: 1571), also cited for lack of supervision as Head of Operations; DCC Obafemi Elvis (SN: 26234); ACC Stephen Tsado (SN: 19057); CSC Oluwadare Sunday (SN: 12648); CSC Annas Shittu Lamino (SN: 28882); SC Usman Isah Ndamaka (SN: 70016); DSC Aminu Sule Garba (SN: 66281); DSC Musa Marafa (SN: 66580); DSC Isah Sulaiman (SN: 44377).
Others include ASCI Hassan Muhammad (SN: 56218); ASCI Alhassan Muhammad (SN: 14232); Aliyu Sallah (SN: 67130); IC Abdullahi Sale (SN: 41683); IC Mohammed N. Sonfada (SN: 74351); Mohammed Jiya; 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).
Flag at Half-Mast and Federal Response
The Commandant-General also directed that the NSCDC flag be flown at half-mast across all its formations nationwide for three days, beginning Sunday, September 20, 2026, as a mark of solemnity over the incident. Afolabi said the Corps would continue to update the public on the progress and outcome of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the federal government expressed sorrow over the deaths of people arrested during an anti-illegal mining operation in Wushishi, Niger State. The State Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant and ordered a full investigation into the incident. The Minister of Information Mohammed Idris warned against prejudging the outcome and promised no one found culpable would be shielded.
