Niger Custody Tragedy: NSCDC Detains 24 Personnel Over 33 Deaths

*Orders Flags at Half-Mast

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained 24 personnel of its Niger State Command in connection with the death of 33 alleged illegal miners in custody, as investigations into the incident continue.

The Corps has also ordered its flag to be flown at half-mast across all commands, formations and directorates nationwide for three days, beginning Sunday, September 20, 2026.

NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this during an emergency press briefing at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.

Afolabi said Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, was deeply disturbed by the incident, which occurred in Niger State on September 17.

He said the NSCDC would not tolerate unprofessional conduct, high-handedness or actions that violate citizens’ fundamental rights.

According to him, personnel linked to the incident were taken into protective custody at the National Headquarters in Abuja following an operation involving the Commandant-General’s Special Investigation Squad.

He said they were undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary procedures and would be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other panels investigating the deaths.

Afolabi said three additional personnel had been suspended, bringing the number of affected officers to 24 from the initial 21.

“The Commandant-General wants to assure the general public that no stone will be left unturned in this matter. Due process will be strictly followed, and every single personnel found culpable will face the full weight of internal disciplinary measures and the law,” he said.

The NSCDC identified the detained personnel as Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye, the suspended Niger State Commandant; DCC Ajayi Philips; DCC John Agrahau Chagwa; DCC Obafemi Elvis; ACC Stephen Tsado; CSC Anerunoye Oluwadare Sunday; and CSC Annas Shittu Lamino.

Others are SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; DSC Aminu Sule Garba; DSC Musa Marafa; DSC Isah Sulaiman; ASCI Hassan Muhammad; ASCI Alhassan Muhammad; Aliyu Sallah; IC Abdullahi Sale; IC Mohammed N. Sonfada; Mohammed Jiya; Sale Adamu; Haruna Muhammed; CCA Baba Muhammad; CAI Isah Sanusi; CAI Liman Abubakar; CAI Bala Usman; and CAI Ahmed Wushishi.

Afolabi said the decision to fly the NSCDC flag at half-mast reflected the Corps’ mourning over the deaths and its commitment to addressing misconduct within its ranks.

He reiterated that the NSCDC remained committed to transparency, human rights, professional ethics and accountability.

The Corps appealed for patience while the investigations proceed, adding that further updates would be made public as developments unfold.

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