Aniviye described the incident as a “costly mistake” while testifying before the judicial commission of inquiry investigating the deaths of suspected illegal miners in September 2026. He also apologised to the Niger State Government and its people over the incident, which has raised serious questions about the treatment of detainees and the conduct of the security operation.

The commission, chaired by Justice Muhammad Muhammad, heard that the deaths followed the arrest of suspected illegal miners during an operation in Minna. Proceedings have also raised concerns about whether proper legal advice was followed, particularly regarding minors held in custody.

Aniviye told the panel that he assumed office as Niger State NSCDC commandant on August 25, 2025, and remained in the position until September 18, 2026.

According to his testimony, the operation began after residents complained in writing and verbally about mining activities allegedly disrupting their community around the M. I. Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna.

He said he visited the location on September 15, 2026, and subsequently instructed the command’s Head of Operations, Assistant Commandant of Corps Joha Achagwa, to address the complaints. The Mining Marshal Unit was then deployed, resulting in the arrest of several suspected illegal miners on the evening of September 16.

Aniviye told the commission that he received a telephone call the following day informing him that some detainees had died. He said he rushed to the command headquarters, where he found several bodies inside the detention cell.

He added that he contacted Governor Umaru Bago, who directed that the bodies be taken to a hospital. The suspended commandant also said he notified the state Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services about the incident.

Aniviye maintained that arrangements had been made to arraign the suspects in court on September 17, before the deaths occurred. His apology, however, has not settled the questions surrounding the circumstances of the incident or the actions of officers responsible for the detainees.

The commission also heard testimony from the suspended head of the NSCDC legal unit, Assistant Commandant of Corps Stephen Tsado, who said he advised Aniviye to release arrested minors to their parents on bail.

Tsado explained that his duties included preparing case files, forwarding matters for prosecution and providing legal guidance to the commandant. He said he noticed that some of the arrested suspects were minors and recommended their release to their parents, but could not explain why the advice was not implemented.

His testimony has added to concerns about whether appropriate safeguards were observed in handling the detainees, particularly those who were underage.

Nurse Maryam Etang, who worked with the NSCDC medical unit, also testified before the commission. She said she visited the detention cell during her routine duties on September 16 and 17 and recalled that one suspect was coughing severely on September 17, around the time bodies were being removed.

Etang further told the panel that she was surprised to see the body of a man identified as Emeka Emmanuel among those removed from the cell. She insisted that Emmanuel was not among the miners arrested during the operation, raising questions about how he came to be detained and the circumstances surrounding his death.

The commission is expected to examine the events leading to the deaths, the conditions in which the suspects were held, the response of the officers involved and whether failures in procedure or supervision contributed to the tragedy.

Earlier proceedings reportedly heard testimony from a mortician at Minna General Hospital, who said 33 bodies were delivered to the hospital’s mortuary. That figure differs from the 37 deaths reported by the Niger State Government and other authorities, leaving the final number of victims among the issues requiring clarification.

Governor Bago inaugurated a nine-member judicial commission of inquiry in September to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people in NSCDC custody. The incident triggered protests in the state capital, after which the governor imposed a 24-hour curfew in Minna.

President Bola Tinubu subsequently called for a full and transparent investigation, stressing that deaths linked to alleged negligence or failures by public officials responsible for people in their care must be addressed.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also announced the suspension of 20 NSCDC officers in connection with the incident.

As the inquiry continues, the central questions remain how the detainees died, whether officers followed the law and established procedures, and whether any individuals or institutional failures were responsible. The commission’s findings are expected to provide greater clarity and help determine accountability.

Reporting by TalkNaija Media