NSCDC Detains 24 Niger Personnel Over Deaths of Suspected Illegal Miners
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Murphy Edeth Ekea
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained 24 personnel of its Niger State Command in connection with the deaths of suspected illegal miners in custody, as investigations into the incident continue.
The affected personnel were moved to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja for interrogation and administrative disciplinary proceedings following the deaths reported after an anti-illegal mining operation in Niger State on September 17, 2026.
The Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this while parading the personnel at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja.
Afolabi said the number of personnel being investigated had risen from the initial 21 to 24 after three additional personnel were identified and suspended.
He explained that the affected officers and men had been taken into protective custody at the National Headquarters since September 17 and were undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary action.
According to him, the process is intended to make the personnel available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigative panels for further examination and possible prosecution.
The development followed the deaths of suspected illegal mining detainees in NSCDC custody in Niger State. Reports on the incident have cited differing figures, with the NSCDC statement referring to 33 deaths.
The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, assured Nigerians that due process, transparency and accountability would guide the investigation.
Audi said personnel found culpable would face the full weight of internal disciplinary measures and the law.
He also directed that the NSCDC flag be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days, beginning Sunday, September 20, as a mark of mourning for the deceased.
The Commandant-General said the Corps does not condone unprofessional conduct, high-handedness or actions capable of undermining the fundamental rights of citizens.
The NSCDC leadership also pledged to keep the public informed about the outcome of the investigation while reaffirming its commitment to human rights protection, professional ethics and accountability.
The investigation is expected to run alongside the presidential probe into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
