Niger Deaths: Mining Marshals Deny Involvement, Challenge Suspended NSCDC Commandant

The Mining Marshals have denied involvement in the September 16 security operation at M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna, Niger State, challenging claims by the state’s suspended Civil Defence commandant that he deployed the specialised unit to the site.

The Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Onoja Attah, said no personnel from the unit took part in the operation, which is under investigation by the Justice Mohammed Mohammed Commission of Inquiry.

In a statement issued by his office at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) National Headquarters in Abuja, Attah described remarks attributed to the suspended Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, in a Daily Post report published on October 16, 2026, as false and misleading.

Aniviye was quoted as saying he visited the mining site on September 15 before deploying Mining Marshals to the area.

However, Attah said the suspended commandant lacked the authority to deploy the unit, insisting that its personnel operated under a separate command structure controlled by the NSCDC National Headquarters.

“No Mining Marshals operative is attached to the Niger State Command or to any State Command of the Corps for that matter,” he said.

Attah explained that the unit operated under the direct command and control of the NSCDC Commandant-General, in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

He added that the Commandant-General had publicly stated that the Mining Marshals were not involved in the operation. At the same time, he, as the unit’s commander, was unaware of it until reports of the incident emerged.

“Our operational records confirm that at no time were Mining Marshals personnel deployed or involved in the said operation,” Attah said.

He cautioned against linking the unit to the deaths reportedly associated with the operation, saying verifiable records and evidence should determine its involvement.

The commander also defended the unit’s conduct, saying its enforcement activities under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, were guided by the law and established rules of engagement.

According to him, the Mining Marshals had maintained professional standards since their establishment, adding that the unit had no record of human rights violations in its operations nationwide and no pending Fundamental Human Rights Enforcement suit in any Nigerian court.

Attah attributed the unit’s operational procedures to the leadership of NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Abubakar Audi and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.

He said the Mining Marshals remained committed to tackling illegal mining and would not be distracted by reports he considered inaccurate.

Attah also urged media organisations to verify information about the unit’s operations with its National Headquarters.

The commission of inquiry is investigating the circumstances surrounding the September 16 operation and the deaths linked to the incident. The findings are expected to establish who authorised and participated in the operation and determine responsibility based on the evidence.