The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Mining Marshals have denied involvement in the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in custody in Niger State on September 16, 2026.

The Commander of the Mining Marshals, John Onoja Attah, made the clarification in a statement on Sunday, dismissing allegations linking his unit to the incident.

Reports had alleged that the suspended Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, implicated the Mining Marshals in an operation involving the suspected illegal miners at the M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna.

However, Attah insisted that no operative of the Mining Marshals was attached to the Niger State Command or any other state command of the Corps.

He maintained that official records showed that no Mining Marshals personnel participated in the operation at any time.

The deaths of the suspected illegal miners have sparked public concern, prompting the Federal Government to set up a probe panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.The panel is expected to submit its findings soon.