EXCLUSIVE: How NSCDC Mining Marshals were sidelined in operation that left 37 dead

Inquiry Raises Questions About NSCDC Operation After Detainee Deaths

Fresh concerns have emerged regarding the command structure of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in relation to an operation in Niger State that resulted in the deaths of 37 detainees. Reports indicate that the Corps’ specialized Mining Marshals were excluded from the raids conducted on September 15 and 16.

Sources within the Niger State Command told DAILY POST that the operation in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas was primarily executed by regular NSCDC personnel. This is particularly troubling given the presence of a specialized unit trained specifically for anti-illegal mining efforts.

The alleged exclusion of the Mining Marshals is noteworthy, as their commander, Commandant Jibrin Mohammed, had received a formal commendation just weeks earlier from the then-Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye. In a letter dated August 25, 2026, Aniviye praised Mohammed for his “exceptional working relationship” with his team and recognized his dedication to addressing the challenges of illegal mining.

Despite this commendation, sources claim that Mohammed and his unit were not involved in the operation that led to the arrest and detention of suspected illegal miners, 37 of whom died while in custody. There are allegations that Mohammed was not properly informed about the plans for the raids or the subsequent detentions.

Internal discord within the command may have contributed to this exclusion. One source suggested that Mohammed’s strict stance on enforcing illegal mining regulations had made him unpopular with certain senior officials.

DAILY POST could not independently verify these claims.

The Mining Marshals serve as a crucial component of the NSCDC’s efforts to combat illegal mining and safeguard Nigeria’s mineral resources. Muhammad S. Mabo, Director-General of the Niger State-owned Zuma Mineral Exploration and Mining Company, expressed concern over the unit’s absence during the operation in question. He stated that the Mining Marshals are the main unit relied upon for enforcement against illegal mining and questioned the rationale for their exclusion.

“We are at a loss as to why the well-trained marshals were bypassed,” Mabo said, asserting that their professionalism is well recognized in the sector.

The circumstances surrounding the detainees’ deaths have attracted scrutiny. Accounts from survivors describe overcrowded conditions, extreme heat, and difficulty breathing within their holding cells. Some reported that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside the cell shortly before the deaths occurred.

The Federal Government has suspended Aniviye and 20 other officers pending investigations into the incident. Authorities are currently examining the identities of the deceased, along with the circumstances of their arrests and detentions.

While the alleged sidelining of the Mining Marshals has not been established as a cause of the deaths, it raises critical questions about the planning and execution of an operation that led to such a tragic outcome. The investigation continues into why a specialized unit trained for illegal-mining enforcement was reportedly not involved in this critical operation.

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