By Danjuma Amodu
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained 24 personnel in connection with the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State.
Commandant General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Audi, said due process, transparency and accountability will be followed in the investigation, assuring that any personnel found culpable will face disciplinary action and prosecution.
Corps Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this while parading the officers at the Corps Headquarters, Abuja. He said three more personnel had been identified and suspended, bringing the total number in custody from 21 to 24.
According to Afolabi, all officers linked to the misconduct were taken into protective custody at the National Headquarters on September 17, 2026, in a joint operation with the Commandant General’s Special Investigation Squad (SIS), where they are undergoing interrogation and administrative action ahead of appearance before the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other panels.
He said the Commandant General has ordered NSCDC flags to be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days, from Sunday, September 20 to Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in mourning and disapproval of the incident.
“As a Corps built on integrity, professionalism, discipline, and absolute respect for the rule of law, we do not condone unprofessional conduct, high-handedness, or any action that undermines the fundamental rights of citizens,” Audi said.
He pledged to keep the public updated on the investigation outcome.
Those currently in protective custody over the incident are the suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye (SN: 3465); three Deputy Commandants of Corps – Ajayi Philips (SN: 19546), HOD Intelligence and Investigation, John Agrahau Chagwa (SN: 1571), HOD Operations, and Obafemi Elvis (SN: 26234); ACC Stephen Tsado (SN: 19057), O/C Legal; CSCs Oluwadare Sunday (SN: 12648) and Annas Shittu Lamino (SN: 28882); SC Usman Isah Ndamaka (SN: 70016); DSCs Aminu Sule Garba (SN: 66281), Musa Marafa (SN: 66580) and Isah Sulaiman (SN: 44377); ASCIs Hassan Muhammad (SN: 56218) and Alhassan Muhammad (SN: 14232); ICs Abdullahi Sale (SN: 41683) and Mohammed N. Sonfada (SN: 74351); CAIs Isah Sanusi (SN: 78586), Liman Abubakar (SN: 72017), Bala Usman (SN: 76178) and Ahmed Wushishi (SN: 70502); as well as Aliyu Sallah (SN: 67130) on Guard Duty, Mohammed Jiya, Sale Adamu (SN: 46400), Haruna Muhammed (SN: 52659) and CCA Baba Muhamma (SN: 44273).
