Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an investigation into the deaths of 13 suspected illegal miners in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto area of Minna, Niger State.
The minister also directed the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following the incident.
The deaths reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday after NSCDC personnel arrested the suspected illegal miners during enforcement operations conducted in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.
Tunji-Ojo described the incident as unfortunate and said a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
“It is an unfortunate incident, however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended,” he said.
The minister said protecting lives remained a priority of the Federal Government.
“We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this,” he added.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alai Babatunde, Tunji-Ojo urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding to allow the investigation to proceed transparently.
He also commiserated with the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the families and relatives of the deceased.
