Pix: ACC Attah

Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monito

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have denied involvement in the September 16, 2026, operation at M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna, Niger State, where suspected illegal miners reportedly died, insisting that the suspended state commandant lacked the authority to deploy their personnel.

The Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Attah, stated this in a statement issued on Saturday, describing as false and misleading claims attributed to the suspended Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, that he deployed operatives of the specialised unit to the location.

Attah’s clarification comes amid an ongoing investigation by the Justice Mohammed Mohammed Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the conduct of the security personnel involved.

The inquiry is expected to establish the facts surrounding the operation and determine the responsibilities of those involved.

The Mining Marshals commander said Aniviye’s account misrepresented the unit’s command structure and operational jurisdiction.

According to him, the suspended commandant had reportedly claimed that he visited the mining site on September 15 before deploying Mining Marshals personnel to the area. Attah, however, maintained that no Mining Marshals operative was attached to the Niger State Command or any other state command of the Corps.

He explained that the specialised unit operates from the national headquarters under the direct command and control of the NSCDC Commandant General, in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

He further stressed that state commandants lacked the authority to deploy Mining Marshals for operations, adding that he was unaware of the reported operation until news of the incident became public.

According to him, the alleged involvement of the unit was inconsistent with its established chain of command and operational procedures. Attah also noted that the Commandant General had repeatedly stated in public that the Mining Marshals were not involved in the operation.

The denial comes as the commission continues its inquiry into the deaths, with the findings expected to clarify the circumstances of the incident, establish the chain of command and determine whether any security personnel violated established operational procedures.