The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained 24 of its personnel, including the suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Suberu Aniviye, in connection with the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody in Niger State.
The officers were paraded at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja on Sunday as investigations continued into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The number of personnel under investigation rose from an initial 21 after three additional officers were identified and suspended.
NSCDC spokesman, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, said the affected personnel had been placed in protective custody at the Corps’ national headquarters in Abuja since September 17.
According to him, the officers are undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary proceedings and will be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigative panels for further questioning and possible prosecution.
The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said the investigation would follow due process and adhere to the principles of transparency and accountability.
He added that any personnel found culpable would face appropriate internal disciplinary measures and legal action.
As part of the Corps’ response to the incident, Audi also ordered the NSCDC flag to be flown at half-mast across all commands and formations for three days, beginning Sunday, September 20, as a mark of mourning.
The 37 detainees died after being arrested during anti-illegal-mining operations conducted by NSCDC personnel in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16. The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, while medical examinations and investigations were ordered to establish the cause.
The Federal Government has separately constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths. The committee is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests and detention of the victims, as well as determine the cause of death.
The 24 personnel being held include Aniviye; DCC Ajayi Philips, Head of Intelligence and Investigation; DCC John Agrahau Chagwa, Head of Operations; DCC Obafemi Elvis; ACC Stephen Tsado, Officer in Charge of Legal Affairs; and several other officers and personnel involved in arrest, investigation, detention and guard duties.
The NSCDC said it remained committed to protecting human rights, maintaining professional standards and keeping the public informed about the outcome of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the new Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Abdulhamid Kabara, has assumed office following Aniviye’s suspension.
