Deaths in Custody: FG Suspends 20 NSCDC Officers, Sets Up Probe Panel

The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody in Niger State.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the suspension on Saturday, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.

The deaths occurred on Thursday, September 17, after the victims were detained following enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining activities in Niger State.

Tunji-Ojo also constituted a 10-member independent committee to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrests, detention and deaths.

The committee will determine whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or other forms of responsibility contributed to the incident and recommend appropriate action where necessary.

It will be chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while Professor 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 Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma, Professor Olayinka Buhari, representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government, and National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Liman Sulaiman.

Lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Blueprint Newspaper’s Zainab Suleiman Okino and public affairs analyst George Agbakahi are also members.

The committee has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.

It may co-opt relevant experts, access facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and request memoranda from members of the public.

Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the investigation and preserve records and material evidence.

He warned that attempts to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as serious offences.

The Federal Government said the suspension is an administrative measure pending the outcome of the investigation and does not by itself establish criminal responsibility.

President Tinubu had earlier ordered authorities to examine the circumstances of the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions in which they were held, the number of people detained, medical attention provided and events leading to the deaths.

The President said any official found to have contributed to the deaths through action, abuse or negligence should face prosecution in accordance with the law.

The government has appealed for calm while the investigation continues and extended condolences to the families of those who died.

The police are also investigating the incident and have secured the location to preserve evidence and prevent interference.