The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has suspended three additional personnel and ordered all flags across its formations nationwide to fly at half-mast for three days following the tragedy involving the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in its custody in Niger State.
The announcement was made on Sunday, September 20, 2026, in a formal statement issued from the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja by the Corps Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Babawale Afolabi.
The suspension of three more officers brings the total number of personnel taken into custody to 24, up from the initial 21 officers. In a joint operation conducted on Thursday, September 17, 2026, by the Commandant General’s Special Investigation Squad (SIS), the affected officers were taken into protective custody and transferred to the National Headquarters in Abuja.
Among those paraded before the press at the Abuja headquarters were high-ranking officials of the Niger State Command, including Suberu Siyaka Aniviye (Suspended Niger State Commandant), DCC Ajayi Philips ( suspended Head of Intelligence and Investigation, cited for lack of supervision).
DCC John Agrahau Chagwa ( Suspended Head of Operations cited for lack of supervision), DCC Obafemi Elvis and Stephen Tsado, Officer-in-Charge of Legal.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, directed that the Corps flag fly at half-mast across all state commands and formations from Sunday, September 20, to Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
ACC Babawale Afolabi noted that the gesture served as a solemn demonstration of institutional grief, remorse, and absolute disapproval of the misconduct.
”As a Corps built on integrity, professionalism, discipline, and absolute respect for the rule of law, we do not condone unprofessional conduct, high-handedness, or any action that undermines the fundamental rights of citizens or the sacred trust reposed in us,” CG Ahmed Audi stated through the Corps spokesperson.
The developments follow directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and an order issued on Saturday, September 19, 2026, by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, setting up a 10-member Presidential Independent Investigation Committee to probe the incident following an anti-illegal mining operation in Wushishi, Niger State.
The NSCDC leadership assured the public that all 24 detained personnel will remain in custody and will be made fully available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and administrative panels for thorough interrogation and potential criminal prosecution.
