The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were being held in custody in Niger State.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the suspension on Saturday alongside the establishment of a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The incident occurred on 17 September, after the suspected miners were arrested during operations targeting illegal and artisanal mining in parts of Niger State.
The deaths have raised questions about the conditions in which the detainees were held and the circumstances that led to the fatalities. The exact cause of death remains under investigation.
The minister said the investigation followed a directive from President Bola Tinubu for a “comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation” into the incident.
Mr Tunji-Ojo described the deaths as deeply disturbing and said the government owed the families of the deceased and the wider public a clear account of what happened.
20 officers suspended
The 20 officers suspended, in addition to the already suspended Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, are:
1. SC Usman Isah Ndamaka – O/C Station Guard
2. ASCI Hassan Mohammed – Station Guard
3. CCA Bala Mohammed – Station Guard
4. CSC Oluwadare Sunday – Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation
5. DCC Obafemi Elvis – Arresting Officer
6. CSC Annas Shitto Lamino – Arresting Officer
7. DCC Philip Ajayi – HOD Intelligence/Investigation
8. ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado – O/C Legal
9. ASCI Alhassan Mohammed – Day/Night Duty Officer
10. IC Abdullahi Sale – Guard Duty
11. IC Mohammed Sonfada – Guard Duty
12. CAI Liman Abubakar – Guard Duty
13. CAI Bala Usman – Guard Duty
14. IC Mohammed Jiya – Guard Duty
15. DSC Isah Suleiman – Guard Duty
16. CAI Ahmed Wushishi – Guard Duty
17. IC Sale Adamu – Guard Duty
18. IC Haruna Mohammed – Guard Duty
19. ASCI Aliyu Sallah – Guard Duty
20. CAI Isah Sanusi – Guard Duty.
The officers will remain suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
Panel given two weeks
The independent committee will be chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General Jonathan Kure, while Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma, Prof Olayinka Buhari, representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government, Miners Association of Nigeria National Secretary Liman Sulaiman, lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Blueprint newspaper’s Zainab Suleiman Okino and public affairs analyst George Agbakahi.
The panel has been given two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the minister.
It has also been authorised to visit locations connected to the incident, examine relevant documents and facilities, invite experts and receive memoranda from members of the public.
Mr Tunji-Ojo warned that anyone found attempting to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would face serious consequences.
Meanwhile, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has declared three days of mourning following the deaths and ordered a separate state-level investigation into the incident.
The Federal Government has appealed for calm as investigations continue. The findings are expected to establish what happened to the detainees, the cause of their deaths and whether any officers or other individuals should bear responsibility.
