Illegal Miners’ Deaths: Tunji-Ojo Suspends Niger NSCDC Commandant

“It is an unfortunate incident, however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended.” Interior Minister.

.... Says, “We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this.”

.... Urges members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding to enable the authorities conduct a transparent investigation into the incident.

Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, over the alleged deaths of suspected illegal miners in Minna.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday at the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, the Niger State capital, following the arrest of suspected illegal miners during enforcement operations conducted in parts of the state on September 15 and 16, 2026.

Reacting to the development, Tunji-Ojo described the incident as unfortunate, stressing that a full investigation would be conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“It is an unfortunate incident, however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended,” the minister said.

He added: “We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this.”

Illustrative photo: Security operatives during an operation against illegal mining activities in Nigeria.

The minister urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding to enable the authorities conduct a transparent investigation into the incident.

Tunji-Ojo also commiserated with Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, as well as the families and relatives of the deceased.