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FG Suspends Niger NSCDC Commandant As 37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die In Custody

Published

3 weeks ago

September 18, 2026

Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi

FG Suspends Niger NSCDC Commandant As 37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die In Custody

The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the Corps’ custody in Minna, Niger State.

The suspension was ordered by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday, September 18, 2026, alongside a directive for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The incident occurred after the NSCDC carried out enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining activities in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16. The operation reportedly focused on the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Minna, where scores of suspects were arrested and various exhibits recovered.

The deaths were discovered in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, after the suspects had been taken into custody.

The Niger State NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but the Corps’ national headquarters subsequently cautioned against drawing conclusions about the cause of death before medical and laboratory examinations were completed.

The NSCDC said the bodies had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to establish the actual cause of death.

Although early reports put the death toll at 33, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners had died in custody.

The differing figures reported in the immediate aftermath underscore the importance of the ongoing investigation and medical examination in establishing the definitive number of victims and the circumstances of each death.

Following the incident, NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Abubakar Audi ordered the constitution of a high-powered investigative team headed by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation.

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The team is expected to investigate the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, the period they spent in custody, the conditions of their detention, the medical attention provided to them and other circumstances that may have contributed to the deaths.

The NSCDC also directed that the health and welfare of all persons still in its custody be given priority, while appropriate measures are taken to protect personnel who may have had contact with the affected detainees.

The Corps said it would refrain from speculating about the cause of the deaths until the outcome of the medical examination is available. It stressed that reports linking the deaths to a particular disease had not been medically or scientifically established.

Meanwhile, police authorities in Niger State have opened a separate investigation into the deaths.

The development has also raised questions about the conditions in which the suspects were detained.

A survivor, Dauda Shehu, reportedly said about 65 detainees were held in an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell. He said some detainees struggled to breathe and banged on the cell door in an attempt to attract the attention of security personnel.

A preliminary intelligence account also suggested that overcrowding and poor ventilation may have contributed to the deaths. However, these remain preliminary accounts and have not been established as the official cause of death.

The official explanation that a possible disease outbreak was involved has also come under scrutiny, with authorities stressing that only medical and laboratory examinations can determine whether disease played any role.

Governor Bago has described the incident as tragic and declared three days of mourning in honour of the deceased.

The Niger State Government also postponed an APC campaign rally scheduled for September 19 in Minna following the deaths.

The Federal Government’s decision to suspend the Niger State NSCDC commandant came a day after the Corps announced its internal investigation.

Tunji-Ojo said the commandant would remain suspended while the investigation continued, stressing that the government had a responsibility to protect lives.

The minister also appealed for calm and urged members of the public to remain law-abiding while the investigation is conducted. He expressed condolences to Governor Bago and the families and relatives of the deceased.

The incident has brought renewed attention to the risks associated with illegal mining in Niger State, where artisanal and small-scale mining activities remain widespread.

Niger State is rich in mineral resources and attracts artisanal miners, particularly those involved in gold mining. Authorities have intensified operations against illegal mining because of concerns over environmental damage, unsafe mining practices and links between illicit mining and criminal networks in parts of the country.

However, the immediate focus of the investigations is the deaths in custody and the treatment of the detainees between their arrest and the discovery of their bodies.

The key issues expected to be addressed include the exact number of people who died, their physical condition at the time of arrest, the number of detainees held at the facility, the adequacy of ventilation and other detention conditions, access to medical care, the timeline of events and the precise medical cause of death.

The NSCDC investigation, the police inquiry and the medical examinations are expected to provide a clearer account of what happened and whether any failures occurred in the handling or detention of the suspects.

Until those investigations are concluded, authorities have not established an official cause of death beyond confirming that the detainees died while in NSCDC custody.

FG Suspends Niger NSCDC Commandant As 37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die In Custody

Related Topics:Featured illegal miners NSCDC ‘die’

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Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

Published

51 minutes ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa

Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested five suspects in separate operations across the state and recovered three firearms, six rounds of live ammunition and other exhibits.

The arrests were made between September 18 and October 7, 2026, as part of the command’s ongoing intelligence-led operations against armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes.

In the latest operation, operatives of the Inyi Police Division responded to a distress call over an alleged armed robbery at Umuaor, Umukabia Isiama Awlaw community in Oji River Local Government Area at about 5:10 a.m. on October 7.

The operation led to the arrest of 26-year-old Arinze Osita Onwuaso, while other suspects reportedly fled the scene.

Police said operatives recovered a locally made cut-to-size single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, a pry bar, hammer, scissors and chisel from him.

In another operation on October 5, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit, attached to the Nsukka sector, arrested two suspected cult members at Umudioka community in Nsukka Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified as 24-year-old Jonas Adejo, also known as J-Money, and 25-year-old Okoro Innocent, also known as Virus.

According to the police, three rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from the two suspects.

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The command said the suspects allegedly confessed during interrogation to belonging to the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, an allegation they would have the opportunity to challenge in court.

A separate operation on September 25 resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Anichebe Ogbonna at an alleged criminal hideout in Amagu Mpu community, Aninri Local Government Area.

Police operatives, working with members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, reportedly raided the location following intelligence on suspected criminal activities.

A locally made pistol was allegedly recovered from Ogbonna.

Meanwhile, operatives of the 9th Mile Police Division arrested 38-year-old Chukwujekwu Chukwuemeka at Ameke-Ngwo, Udi Local Government Area, at about 11 p.m. on September 18.

The police said Chukwuemeka was arrested following information allegedly linking him to armed robbery activities in the area.

A cut-to-size pump-action gun and one live cartridge were reportedly recovered from him.

The four operations produced a total of five arrests, three firearms and six rounds of ammunition, with investigations continuing into the alleged offences and the suspects’ individual roles.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the officers involved and residents whose information assisted the operations.

Giwa urged residents to continue providing credible information to the police to help prevent armed robbery, cult-related violence and other security threats across the state.

The suspects remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.

Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

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Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

Published

5 hours ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Arinze Nwogba

Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N50 million bail to Arinze Nwogba, who is facing trial for allegedly impersonating the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Segun Aina.

Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a ruling on Thursday, admitted Nwogba to bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

The judge held that the alleged offence was bailable and not a capital offence, while noting that Nwogba had indicated through his bail application that he would not abscond and would make himself available for trial.

The court, however, attached stringent conditions to the bail.

One of the sureties must be a Federal Government civil servant not below Grade Level 14, while both sureties must reside within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The judge further directed that one of the sureties must reside in Asokoro, Maitama or Guzape.

Each surety is required to swear an affidavit of means and submit a tax clearance certificate covering the previous two years.

The court also ordered Nwogba and the sureties to submit photocopies of their National Identification slips.

The court registrar was directed to verify the bail documents and issue a report, with the prosecution also required to participate in the verification process.

Importantly, the ruling does not mean Nwogba walks out of custody immediately. He is to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are perfected.

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The case has been adjourned until October 19, 2026, for commencement of trial.

Nwogba is being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police on a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026.

The police allege that he impersonated Professor Aina by using the JAMB registrar’s photograph on WhatsApp and Truecaller, allegedly with the intention of obtaining financial advantage.

According to the prosecution, a petition was submitted to the Inspector-General of Police over a suspected criminal operation involving the unauthorised use of the registrar’s name, photograph and telephone number to deceive members of the public.

The police alleged that the suspects also used LinkedIn and WhatsApp to approach prospective victims with purported government contracts.

In one alleged scheme, the impersonators reportedly claimed that the Federal Ministry of Education had approved the supply of 200 HP laptops as part of a digitisation programme.

The prosecution alleged that prospective beneficiaries were subsequently asked to make payments, including N900,000 described as an initial “handshake” and another N3 million purportedly for officials of the ministry.

The police said Nwogba was arrested in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, during investigations into the alleged impersonation.

The prosecution further alleged that Nwogba used the operational name Dr Stephen Igwe and admitted forwarding bank account details to a relative allegedly connected with the fraudulent operation.

Another alleged member of the operation, identified by the police as Nnabuife Nwekpa, is said to be at large.

Nwogba pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge and remains presumed innocent unless and until the prosecution proves the allegations against him in court.

The bail ruling therefore allows him an opportunity to secure his release pending trial, but only after satisfying the conditions imposed by the court.

Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

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NESREA to Honour Lagos Baale After Dramatic Rescue of Endangered Sea Turtle

Published

5 hours ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

NESREA to Honour Lagos Baale After Dramatic Rescue of Endangered Sea Turtle

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is set to honour the Baale of Okun Igando in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Chief Semiu Waliu Jejelaiye, after he intervened to save a large sea turtle from being killed by fishermen.

The development followed the rescue of the marine animal after it became entangled in a fishing net along the coastline of the community.

The fishermen reportedly initially believed they had caught a large fish. However, the situation changed after the Baale intervened and stopped attempts to kill or sell the animal.

Chief Jejelaiye urged the fishermen and other residents to release the turtle, while explaining the importance of protecting endangered and threatened marine species.

The fishermen, with the assistance of other community members, carefully freed the animal from the net and returned it alive to the Atlantic Ocean.

The rescue attracted widespread attention after footage of the incident circulated online, with many Nigerians commending the community for choosing to protect the animal rather than kill it.

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NESREA has subsequently commended the Baale and the local fishing community for their intervention, describing the rescue as an example of grassroots environmental conservation.

The agency is expected to issue a Letter of Commendation to Chief Jejelaiye in recognition of his role in preventing harm to the marine animal and promoting wildlife protection within the community.

The incident has also renewed attention to the challenges facing sea turtles in Nigeria, particularly along the Lagos coastline.

Sea turtles are exposed to several threats, including accidental capture in fishing nets, destruction of nesting habitats, pollution, illegal hunting and human consumption.

Conservation efforts in the Ibeju-Lekki area have previously focused on educating fishing communities about the importance of protecting sea turtles and finding ways to reduce conflicts between conservation and fishing activities.

The latest rescue also highlights the role that traditional rulers and coastal communities can play in protecting endangered wildlife.

NESREA, which is responsible for enforcing Nigeria’s environmental laws and regulations, has continued to advocate stronger community participation in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.

The rescued turtle was identified in reports as a leatherback sea turtle, one of the largest living turtle species. Leatherback turtles face serious threats globally from fishing gear, habitat loss, pollution and other human activities.

The successful release of the turtle back into the ocean has been described as a positive example of what can happen when local communities respond quickly to protect threatened wildlife.

The development is also expected to strengthen calls for greater awareness among fishermen and residents of Nigeria’s coastal communities on how to safely handle marine animals accidentally caught in fishing nets.

For Okun Igando, the intervention by the Baale has turned what could have been the death of a rare marine animal into a notable wildlife conservation success story.