RismadarVoice Reporters
October 17, 2026
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have denied involvement in the September 16 operation at M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna, Niger State, where deaths were reported.
The Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Attah, dismissed allegations that the suspended Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, deployed members of the specialised unit for the operation.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Attah described the claims as false and misleading, insisting that state commandants lack the authority to deploy Mining Marshals personnel.
He explained that the unit operates directly under the NSCDC national headquarters in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
According to him, no Mining Marshals personnel are attached to the Niger State Command or any other state command.
Attah maintained that operational records confirmed that members of the unit neither participated in nor were deployed for the September 16 operation.
He also stated that he became aware of the incident only after reports emerged, adding that the Commandant-General of the NSCDC had repeatedly denied the unit’s involvement.
The commander defended the Mining Marshals’ operational record, saying their activities were conducted in accordance with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, and established professional procedures.
He further claimed that the unit had recorded no human rights violations since its establishment and had no pending fundamental rights enforcement suits against it.
Attah reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to combating illegal mining and urged media organisations to verify allegations involving its personnel before publication.
Meanwhile, the Justice Mohammed Mohammed Commission of Inquiry is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the identities and conduct of security personnel allegedly involved.
The commission is expected to establish responsibility based on the evidence presented during its proceedings.
