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

The directive follows an incident reported at the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, the state capital, in the early hours of Thursday.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, the victims were detained during enforcement operations conducted across Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.

While the NSCDC did not disclose an official casualty figure, independent reports indicate that at least 33 suspected miners died while in custody.

“It is an unfortunate incident; however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended,” Minister Tunji-Ojo stated. “We run a government whose ultimate priority is the security of lives.”

The minister appealed for public calm to ensure a transparent inquiry and extended his condolences to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, as well as the bereaved families.

Prior to the minister’s directive, the national headquarters of the NSCDC had constituted an investigative panel led by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation.

The internal probe is mandated to examine the condition of the suspects upon arrest, detention standards, the medical attention provided, and the overall circumstances leading to the fatalities.

The corps also cautioned the public against premature speculation regarding the cause of death, emphasizing that any claims of specific illnesses remain subject to formal medical and laboratory confirmation.