The Niger State Government has cancelled the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally scheduled for Saturday in Minna following the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The state government also declared three days of mourning in honour of the deceased, with Governor Umaru Bago expressing condolences to the families and relatives affected by the incident.

The decision to suspend the planned political gathering was announced through the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim.

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According to the statement, the cancellation was considered appropriate in view of the deaths and was intended to show respect for the deceased and their families.

The APC rally had been scheduled as part of the party’s political activities in Niger State, but the state government opted to suspend the event following the reported deaths.

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The development comes amid an investigation ordered by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, into the deaths of the suspected illegal miners.

Tunji-Ojo also directed the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The reported deaths followed enforcement operations conducted against suspected illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto axis of Niger State.

According to the information released by the Interior Ministry, the arrests took place on September 15 and 16, 2026. The deaths were subsequently reported in the early hours of Thursday.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths have not been conclusively established, making the investigation particularly significant in determining what happened to the detainees while they were in custody.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, the minister described the incident as unfortunate and said a comprehensive investigation would be conducted.

“It is an unfortunate incident, however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended,” Tunji-Ojo said.

The minister said the Federal Government’s priority remained the protection of lives and called on members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding while the investigation proceeds.

He also expressed sympathy to Governor Bago and the families and relatives of those who died.

The suspension of the NSCDC commandant is intended to allow the investigation to proceed while accountability questions surrounding the incident are examined.

The inquiry is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the condition of the detainees while in custody and the events preceding their deaths.

Earlier, the NSCDC had confirmed that an investigation was being pursued following the deaths of detainees arrested during a joint operation against suspected illegal mining.

The corps had said the remains were evacuated for medical and laboratory examination, while cautioning against reaching conclusions about the cause of death before the examinations were completed.

The Niger State Government’s decision to cancel the APC rally means the planned political event will not go ahead on Saturday as previously scheduled.

The three-day mourning period will instead provide an official period for the state to honour the deceased while authorities continue investigations into the incident.

Both the state and federal governments have appealed for calm as the investigation progresses.

The outcome of the probe is expected to provide further information about the circumstances surrounding the deaths and whether any administrative or legal action will follow.