Tinubu Orders Arrest, Prosecution Of Officials Responsible For Death Of 37 Miners In Niger NSCDC Custody

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps [NSCDC] in Niger State.

He directed that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through action, abuse or negligence must be arrested and prosecuted.

Tinubu gave the directive in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, September 18, 2026, describing the incident as a grave matter requiring urgent investigation and accountability.

“Where the investigation establishes that any official, through action, abuse or negligence, contributed to these deaths, such an officer must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. There must be accountability,” the President said.

Tinubu said the life of every Nigerian matters and no citizen should die in government custody as a result of negligence, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.

“The fact that these individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not in any way remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody. Government will not tolerate mass deaths arising from official negligence, dereliction of duty or failure by public officials to protect the lives placed under their care,” he said.

He ordered the probe to cover the circumstances of the arrests on September 15 and 16 in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis, the condition of the detainees when taken into custody, the conditions of detention, the number of people held, medical attention provided and events leading to their deaths.

The President warned that suspension of officers is not enough.

“The suspension of officers is only an administrative step and must not substitute for a proper determination of criminal responsibility where the evidence warrants prosecution,” he said.

He directed the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with investigative authorities and ensure no officer interferes with efforts to establish the truth.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had earlier suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation. The NSCDC also constituted an investigative team.

Niger State Governor Umaru Bago confirmed 37 deaths and said forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies are ongoing. He imposed a 24-hour curfew after protests led to vandalism of State Transport Company buses, a Sterling Bank branch, party offices and private businesses.

The Federal Government, through Information Minister Mohammed Idris, said nobody found culpable would be shielded.

Tinubu appealed for calm among families and communities.

“We must never allow the pursuit of one form of illegality to create another. The government must enforce the law firmly, but it must also obey the law. The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable,” he said.