Despite the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, sources within the Corps have alleged that senior officers across the command were directed to pay for the production of the new State Commandant’s official portrait.
The directive, dated September 22, 2026, and sighted by SaharaReporters, was issued by the NSCDC Niger State Command’s Public Relations Unit.
It directed Heads of Departments (HODs), Heads of Units (HOUs), Area Commanders and Divisional Officers to arrange for the production and display of the official portrait of the newly deployed State Commandant, Abdulhamid Salisu Kabara.
According to the directive signed by DSC Abubakar M.R. Muti, the Command’s Civil Defence Public Relations Officer (CDPRO), personnel were given two options for the portrait.
The first option is a framed portrait costing ₦22,000, while the second is a portrait sticker without a frame, costing ₦12,000.
The directive also instructed the affected personnel to make payments into a private account.
“All payments should be made accordingly,” the directive stated.
Personnel were directed to make payments into an account bearing the name Abubakar Mohammed Rabiu Muti, with account number 806946**, through Opay or Moniepoint.
They were also instructed to include their names or offices on their payment receipts and forward proof of payment to a specified telephone number “for proper documentation and confirmation.”
“All concerned personnel are kindly requested to comply accordingly,” the directive added.
Sources within the NSCDC told SaharaReporters that those expected to make the payments include Heads of Departments, Heads of Units, Unit Commanders, Area Commanders and Divisional Officers across the Niger State Command.
According to the sources, the affected personnel began receiving notifications about the payment on Tuesday.
The sources questioned the timing of the directive, coming as the Niger State Command faces intense scrutiny over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in its custody in Minna, the state capital.
One source described the directive as insensitive given the circumstances surrounding the deaths, alleging that personnel were being subjected to additional financial demands while the command was dealing with the fallout from the incident.
“While the NSCDC Niger State Command is trying to come out of its mess, the newly deployed state Commandant issued the above exploitative order, further confirming the exploitative nature of the Corps against its personnel,” the source said.
However, the Niger State Command said the portrait was being produced to ensure “due respect and recognition” for the leadership of the command and to promote uniformity across its formations.
In its message sent to personnel, the Command said Kabara had directed that his official portrait be displayed at the offices of senior officers across the command.
“The State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, Commandant Abdulhamid Salisu Kabara, has directed the production of his official portrait for display at the offices of all Heads of Department (HODs), Heads of Units (HOUs), Area Commanders and Divisional Officers across the Command,” it read.
The Command added that the directive was “in line with the established practice of according due respect and recognition to the leadership of the Command, as well as promoting uniformity and proper official representation across all formations.”
“Accordingly, all concerned officers are requested to make arrangements for the production of the portrait as follows: 1.Full Portrait with Frame: ₦22,000 2. Portrait Sticker without Frame: ₦12,000,” it said.
“All payments should be made accordingly. Officers are required to clearly indicate their names/office on the transaction receipt and forward proof of payment to 0806946**** for proper documentation and confirmation.”
It was not immediately clear whether the payment requirement had been formally approved by the NSCDC headquarters or was part of any officially sanctioned nationwide policy.
The development comes amid growing public concern over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody
It was previously reported that the Corps arrested over 20 personnel, including Suberu Aniviye, the suspended Niger State Commandant, following the deaths.
Aniviye’s suspension and the subsequent developments led to the appointment of Kabara as the new State Commandant.
Kabara was deployed to take over the command amid the controversy surrounding the deaths and concerns over the treatment and conditions of detainees in NSCDC custody.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have generated public concern and demands for accountability, with questions raised about the conditions under which the suspected miners were detained.
Against this backdrop, the latest directive requiring senior personnel to pay between ₦12,000 and ₦22,000 for the commandant’s portrait has triggered further questions among officers within the command.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the directive was circulated across various formations in Niger State despite the ongoing controversy.
They also questioned why personnel were being asked to personally fund the production of an official portrait at a time when the command is dealing with the fallout from the deaths.
SaharaReporters learnt that the directive covers several levels of the Niger State Command, including departments, units, area commands and divisions.
The Corps has not publicly disclosed the outcome of any investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 37 suspected miners beyond the disciplinary actions already reported.
(SaharaReporters)
