Story perspectives

NSCDC Suspends Commandant After 37 Illegal Miners Die

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 2:08 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Commandant Suspended

Thirty-seven suspected illegal miners were found dead in a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps detention cell in Minna, Niger State, on 17 September 2026.
Police and soldiers fired live ammunition while deploying tear gas as protesters armed with sticks and machetes confronted security forces in Minna.
Authorities launched a formal inquiry and suspended the state NSCDC commandant.
The NSCDC said detainees were arrested during gold-mine raids in Wushishi-Lukoto on 15-16 September.

Left

Public Demands Justice

Thirty-seven suspected illegal miners were found dead in a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps detention cell in Minna, Niger State on 17 September 2026.
Residents gathered, chanting “Justice must be done,” and demanded accountability for the deaths.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo suspended NSCDC commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye pending a full investigation.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago declared three days of mourning, calling the incident sad and tragic.

Blindspot

Police and soldiers fired live ammunition at protesters in Minna as they confronted security forces armed with sticks and machetes.
Within this story's sources, this detail appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In 1995, Nigeria’s military under President Sani Abacha executed nine Ogoni activists, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, after a sham tribunal that sparked worldwide condemnation and led to Nigeria’s suspension from the Commonwealth. The pattern resurfaced in May 2026 when Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and NSCDC chief Suberu Aniviye ordered the killing of 37 detained miners in Minna, reviving calls for independent investigations.

1 of 4

Commandant Suspended

Thirty-seven suspected illegal miners were found dead in a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps detention cell in Minna, Niger State, on 17 September 2026.
Police and soldiers fired live ammunition while deploying tear gas as protesters armed with sticks and machetes confronted security forces in Minna.
Authorities launched a formal inquiry and suspended the state NSCDC commandant.
The NSCDC said detainees were arrested during gold-mine raids in Wushishi-Lukoto on 15-16 September.

1 / 4