The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained 24 of its personnel over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State.
The personnel include the suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye, and 23 other officers and men linked to the incident.
The NSCDC said the number of personnel under investigation increased from the initial 21 to 24 after three additional officers were identified and suspended.
According to the Corps Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, the affected personnel were taken into protective custody at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja on September 17, 2026.
He said they are undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary proceedings and would be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said the investigation would be conducted in line with due process, transparency and accountability.
He stated that any personnel found culpable would face the appropriate internal disciplinary measures and the full weight of the law.
The Corps also ordered its flag to be flown at half-mast across all its commands and formations for three days beginning Sunday, September 20, as a mark of mourning and institutional remorse over the incident.
The NSCDC said the decision was also intended to demonstrate its disapproval of conduct that violates citizens’ fundamental rights and undermine the trust placed in the security organisation.
Among those detained are senior officers including DCC Ajayi Philips, Head of Intelligence and Investigation; DCC John Agrahau Chagwa, Head of Operations; DCC Obafemi Elvis; and ACC Stephen Tsado, Officer in Charge of Legal Affairs.
The Corps attributed the inclusion of DCC Ajayi Philips and DCC John Agrahau Chagwa to what it described as a lack of supervision in their respective departments.
Other personnel listed in connection with the incident include CSC Oluwadare Sunday, CSC Annas Shittu Lamino, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka, DSC Aminu Sule Garba, DSC Musa Marafa, DSC Isah Sulaiman, ASCI Hassan Muhammad, ASCI Alhassan Muhammad and several other officers and men.
The 37 suspected illegal miners died days after they were arrested during anti-illegal mining operations conducted by the NSCDC in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
Following the deaths, the NSCDC had initially attributed them to a suspected disease outbreak, while stating that medical examinations would be required to establish the actual cause.
The latest action by the Corps places the conduct of its Niger State personnel under formal investigation, with the affected officers expected to face further scrutiny by independent investigative panels.
The NSCDC said it would continue to keep Nigerians informed about the outcome of the investigation and reiterated its commitment to transparency, protection of human rights and professional conduct.
