Niger deaths: NSCDC Mining Marshals deny involvement

John Onoja Attah, commander of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, says his unit had no role in the operation connected to the deaths in custody of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State on September 16, 2026. In a statement on Sunday, he rejected allegations following remarks attributed to the now-suspended state NSCDC commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye. Attah said no Mining Marshals personnel are attached to the Niger State Command or any other state command, and that official records show none took part in the operation in Minna. The federal government has established a panel to investigate the deaths, with its findings expected soon.