The Nigerian federal government has suspended the state commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) following the deaths of 37 suspected miners. The suspension comes after an incident reported to have occurred at the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, the capital of Niger State, during the early hours of Thursday.
Authorities have ordered a full investigation into the incident, which reportedly involved miners operating in an unauthorized area. The NSCDC, a security agency tasked with protecting communities and enforcing laws, is under scrutiny for its response to the event.
The commandant, Suberu Aniviye, has been temporarily removed from his duties pending the outcome of the inquiry. The government has not yet released further details on the circumstances of the deaths or the legal status of the miners involved.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in regulating informal mining activities in the region, which have led to numerous safety concerns in the past. No official confirmation has been given on the cause of the fatalities or the extent of the investigation.
