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The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Audi, has assured that the Corps will not shield anyone found culpable in the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State.

Audi gave the assurance when he paid a condolence and courtesy visit to the Emir of Minna, Umar Bahago, the families of the deceased and the family of the survivor.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the NSCDC spokesman, Babawale Afolabi, the NSCDC boss said the Corps would prioritise justice and transparency in its response to the incident.

“The CG strongly condoled with the families and gave a firm assurance that the Corps will not shield anyone found culpable, emphasising that justice and transparency will take precedence,” the statement partly read.

Audi also disclosed that the Federal Government, following a directive from the Presidency, had constituted a high-powered investigative committee to probe the incident.

He said the NSCDC was fully cooperating with the committee, adding that relevant personnel had already been placed in protective custody to make them available for the investigation.

“The CG noted that the Federal Government, under the directive of the Presidency, has constituted a high-powered investigative committee to probe the incident. The NSCDC is fully cooperating with the panel. Relevant personnel have already been placed in protective custody to make them fully available for a transparent investigation process,” he said.

Audi explained that his visit was also to join Muslim faithful in observing the third- and seventh-day prayers for the deceased.

He said the prayers were significant for seeking the repose of the souls of the deceased and strength for the bereaved families.

Responding on behalf of the traditional institution and the families, the Emir expressed appreciation to the Commandant General for his visit and the administrative steps taken following the incident.

He also commended the NSCDC for cooperating with the Presidential investigative committee and for personally identifying with the community during the period of mourning.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over N80 million recovered from a businessman accused of selling a 146-acre property to another businessman without transferring ownership of the land.

In a statement on X on Thursday, the EFCC said the Acting Zonal Director of its Benin Zonal Directorate, DCE Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, handed over a draft of the recovered N80 million to 42-year-old businessman, Ifeanyi Innocent Madueke, on Wednesday, September 24, 2026.

The commission said Madueke had purchased 146 acres of land in a community in Delta State from Austine Muanya Okafor for N232.8 million.

However, Madueke was unable to take possession of the property despite completing payment, prompting him to approach Okafor for a refund.

According to the EFCC, Madueke’s efforts to recover his money were unsuccessful, leading him to petition the commission.

The EFCC said investigation established that Madueke transferred the money to the suspect in three tranches.

Presenting the recovered funds, Sa’ad said the commission would continue to discharge its responsibilities professionally and with utmost integrity.

He also warned that fraudsters would not be allowed to benefit from illicit activities.

Receiving the N80 million draft, Madueke expressed appreciation to the EFCC, saying he had almost lost hope before petitioning the commission.

“I am grateful to the Commission for what they have done. I had lost hope before I came to EFCC. I thank the management and staff for the good work they are doing,” he said.

The EFCC said the recovery formed part of its efforts to investigate financial crimes and recover proceeds of fraudulent transactions.

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Police officers attached to the Katampe Division of the Nigeria Police Force have allegedly been caught on camera shooting at youths during a confrontation over trucks attempting to pass through Mpape community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The incident reportedly occurred in Mpape, a densely populated hillside community where residents allegedly blocked trucks said to be transporting natural resources, including lithium.

However, it remains unclear what the trucks were carrying. Some eyewitnesses said they were transporting lithium, while others suggested they could have been carrying chippings or other materials commonly transported through the area.

A video circulating on social media and seen by SaharaReporters shows police officers with firearms drawn during the confrontation with residents.

The circumstances that led to the confrontation were not immediately clear. Eyewitness accounts indicated that some residents had blocked the trucks and prevented them from proceeding through the community.

Mpape has a major access road serving the densely populated community, meaning confrontations involving heavy-duty trucks and residents can quickly cause significant obstruction and tension.

While residents blocking trucks on the road could create a dangerous situation, concerns have also been raised over the decision by the police officers to approach the confrontation with firearms drawn.

An eyewitness who spoke about the incident said residents should not stand directly in front of moving trucks, but also questioned the manner in which the police responded to the situation.

“Two wrongs don’t make a right,” the eyewitness said, adding that police officers should not arrive at a crowded one-way community with rifles already drawn and seemingly ready to shoot.

The eyewitness said the presence of armed police officers in such a tense environment could escalate rather than de-escalate the situation.

The video did not independently establish whether the officers fired live ammunition or where the shots, if any, were directed. SaharaReporters could also not independently verify what the trucks were carrying at the time of filing this report.

The incident comes amid concerns over the movement of heavy-duty trucks transporting natural resources and other materials through communities in the FCT, particularly where residents and commercial operators share narrow access roads.

The media contacted the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Josephine Adeh, through WhatsApp messages and phone calls seeking clarification on the incident, the identity of the officers involved and whether any shots were fired.

She had not responded to the messages or calls as of the time of filing this report.