Niger miners’ deaths: Full list of 20 NSCDC officers suspended

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has placed the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and 20 other NSCDC officers on suspension following the reported deaths of 37 people in the Corps' custody. The suspension is pending an independent investigation into the incident, which occurred on September 17, 2026.

The Ministry of Interior stated that the suspension is in addition to the formation of a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths. The committee's mandate includes establishing the identities of the deceased, investigating their arrest, detention, and the cause and circumstances of their deaths. The NSCDC officers suspended include an O/C Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed, a CSC Oluwadare Sunday, and numerous other guards and detention officers.

The 37 deceased were among suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations in September 2026. The operation aimed to tackle illegal mining activities, with various exhibits recovered during the arrests. Initially, the NSCDC attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but the actual cause remains unconfirmed.

Survivors provided different accounts, including claims of poor ventilation and exposure to a substance resembling perfume before detainees began collapsing. The deaths led to protests in Minna, prompting the Niger State Government to impose a curfew and order a state-level inquiry. President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed a comprehensive investigation into the incident.