Keji MustaphaBy Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor
The names of 20 officers suspended by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody in Niger State have been revealed, following a decisive administrative action by the Corps leadership pending the conclusion of an independent investigation.
The suspension, which also affects the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, places the affected officers away from active responsibility while investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The development has placed renewed attention on the leadership of the NSCDC under Commandant-General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, particularly the decision to take immediate administrative action rather than wait for the conclusion of the investigation.
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident, including the identities of the deceased, their arrest and detention, the circumstances and cause of their deaths, and any question of responsibility, negligence or misconduct.
The suspension of the officers is an administrative measure pending the outcome of the investigation and does not, by itself, constitute a finding of guilt against any of them.
Full names of the 20 suspended officers
The officers listed as suspended are:
- O/C Station Guard — SC Usman Isah Ndamaka
- Station Guard — ASCI Hassan Mohammed
- Station Guard — CCA Bala Mohammed
- Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation — CSC Oluwadare Sunday
- Arresting Officer — DCC Obafemi Elvis
- Arresting Officer — CSC Annas Shitto Lamino
- HOD INT/INV — DCC Philip Ajayi
- O/C Legal — ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado
- Night Duty Officer — ASCI Alhassan Mohammed
- Guard Duty — IC Abdullahi Sale
- Guard Duty — IC Mohammed Sonfada
- Guard Duty — CAI Liman Abubakar
- Guard Duty — CAI Bala Usman
- Guard Duty — IC Mohammed Jiya
- Guard Duty — DSC Isah Suleiman
- Guard Duty — CAI Ahmed Wushishi
- Guard Duty — IC Sale Adamu
- Guard Duty — IC Haruna Mohammed
- Guard Duty — ASCI Aliyu Sallah
- Guard Duty — CAI Isah Sanusi
The 37 deceased were among suspected illegal miners arrested during NSCDC enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.
They were subsequently found dead in NSCDC custody in Minna on September 17. The cause of the deaths has yet to be conclusively established.
The suspension of the officers pending investigation has further highlighted the NSCDC leadership’s approach to accountability and internal discipline.
Rather than treating the allegations as a matter to be handled solely after the investigation, the Corps has taken an immediate administrative step while allowing the independent panel to establish the facts.
Professor Audi’s leadership has consequently attracted attention over the speed with which the institution has responded to the incident. The action also reinforces the principle that disciplinary measures can be taken to protect the integrity of an investigation without prejudging the guilt or innocence of the officers involved.
The independent panel is expected to determine what happened, establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and make recommendations on responsibility, appropriate action and compensation where applicable.
The outcome of the investigation will ultimately determine whether any of the suspended personnel bear individual responsibility and whether further disciplinary or legal measures are required.
For now, the revelation of the names of the suspended officers provides greater transparency about those affected by the administrative action, while the ongoing investigation remains the appropriate mechanism for establishing the facts surrounding the tragedy.
