…Tunji-Ojo Orders Full Investigation as Death Toll Reportedly Hits 40
The Minister of Interior, 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 suspected illegal miners in the state.
CDA News Nigeria reports that the minister also ordered a full investigation into the incident, which reportedly occurred at the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, the state capital, in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, 2026.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the development was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde. According to the statement, the suspected illegal miners were arrested during enforcement operations conducted in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.
“It is an unfortunate incident; however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended. We run a government whose ultimate priority is the security of lives, and we have worked to stay true to this,” the minister declared.
Tunji-Ojo urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding to allow for a transparent investigation. He also commiserated with Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and the families of the deceased.
Reports had put the number of suspected illegal miners who died in custody at no fewer than 33, while a PUNCH headline referenced “40 miners” dying in NSCDC detention. The NSCDC had earlier constituted an investigative team led by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the condition of the suspects upon arrest, their period in custody, detention conditions, and medical attention provided.
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