The Federal Government has suspended 21 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the Corps’ custody in Niger State.
The suspension, which includes the Niger State Commandant, was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Saturday.
Tunji-Ojo also constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation.
The committee is mandated to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrest, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
It is also expected to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
The panel is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, while former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, will serve as secretary.
Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint journalist, Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.
The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
It has also been empowered to co-opt relevant experts, visit locations connected to the incident, access necessary documents and facilities, and request memoranda from members of the public.
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all officers connected to the incident to cooperate fully with the panel, while ordering the preservation of all records and material evidence.
He warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
Among the suspended officers are the O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed; Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis; HOD Intelligence/Investigation, DCC Philip Ajayi; O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; and officers assigned to guard and duty responsibilities.
The minister described the deaths as “deeply disturbing” and said the government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.
He condoled with the families and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
