NSCDC Sidelined Own Mining Marshals Before 37 Detainees Died in Niger

Fresh details have emerged over the NSCDC operation in Niger State that left 37 detainees dead, with sources alleging the Corps' specialised Mining Marshals were deliberately excluded from the September 15 and 16 raids around M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas.

The commander of the Mining Marshals, Commandant Jibrin Mohammed, had received a formal commendation from the then Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, in a restricted letter dated August 25, 2026, praising his "exceptional working relationship" and "attention to detail" in anti-illegal-mining enforcement. Less than three weeks later, sources say Mohammed and his unit were not briefed, not deployed, and not involved in the operation that ended with 37 people dead in custody.

Muhammad S. Mabo, Director-General of the Niger State-owned Zuma Mineral Exploration and Mining Company, said it plainly: "We are at a loss as to why the well-trained marshals were bypassed. I can say directly that they were not involved in the operation." One source alleged Mohammed "has become a pain in the neck of some highly placed senior officials because of his stand on illegal mining." The Federal Government has since suspended Aniviye and 20 other officers pending investigation. So who ordered this operation, and why was the one unit trained for exactly this kind of raid kept out of the room?