The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the Corps’ custody in Niger State.
The officers were suspended alongside the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the deaths.
The Ministry of Interior announced the suspension on Saturday, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident.
The 37 detainees died after they were arrested during NSCDC operations against suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The Corps had said the operation was aimed at tackling illegal mining and that various exhibits were recovered from those arrested.
The detainees were subsequently taken into NSCDC custody in Minna, where 37 of them were later found dead.
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, saying the bodies had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to determine the cause.
However, no definitive cause of death has been established.
The government has now constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident.
The committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, as well as determine the cause of their deaths.
It is also mandated to establish whether there was responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct by any individual and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable.
The committee has two weeks to submit its report.
The 20 suspended officers are:
1. SC Usman Isah Ndamaka — Officer in Charge, Station Guard
2. ASCI Hassan Mohammed — Station Guard
3. CCA Bala Mohammed — Station Guard
4. CSC Oluwadare Sunday — Arresting Officer/Officer in Charge, Investigation
5. DCC Obafemi Elvis — Arresting Officer
6. CSC Annas Shitto Lamino — Arresting Officer
7. DCC Philip Ajayi — Head, Intelligence/Investigation
8. ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado — Officer in Charge, Legal
9. ASCI Alhassan Mohammed — 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 deaths triggered protests in Minna, prompting the Niger State Government to impose a curfew following unrest.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago also confirmed the deaths and ordered a state-level inquiry.
Meanwhile, accounts from survivors have raised questions about the conditions under which the detainees were held.
One survivor, Dauda Shehu, alleged that detainees were crowded into a poorly ventilated cell and struggled to breathe.
Another survivor alleged that a substance resembling perfume was sprayed inside the cell shortly before some detainees began collapsing.
The accounts have not been independently established as the cause of the deaths, which remain subject to medical and forensic investigation.
The Interior Ministry has directed NSCDC authorities and all officers involved to preserve and surrender relevant records and evidence to investigators.
Tunji-Ojo also warned that anyone who attempts to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would face consequences.
The minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.
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