Bolatito Mercy
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered the suspension of 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in connection with the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners while in custody in Niger State.
The suspension, announced on Saturday, will remain in effect pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident, which reportedly occurred on Thursday.
The action followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
In a statement issued by the Minister, the affected officers include the Officer-in-Charge of Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed; Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer/Officer-in-Charge of Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis; Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino; Head of Intelligence/Investigation, DCC Philip Ajayi; Officer-in-Charge of Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; and Guard Duty Officer, IC Abdullahi Sale.
Others are IC Mohammed Sonfada, CAI Liman Abubakar, CAI Bala Usman, IC Mohammed Jiya, DSC Isah Suleiman, CAI Ahmed Wushishi, IC Sale Adamu, IC Haruna Mohammed, ASCI Aliyu Sallah and CAI Isah Sanusi.
Tunji-Ojo also constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths and determine what transpired before and during the victims’ detention.
The Minister described the incident as deeply disturbing, stressing that the government has a responsibility to provide the families of the deceased and the public with a clear account of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and examine the circumstances of their arrest and detention, as well as determine the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
It will also investigate possible responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate measures, including compensation where applicable, as well as steps to prevent a recurrence.
The NSCDC leadership and all officers connected to the matter have been directed to cooperate fully with the investigation. The Minister also ordered that all records and material evidence relating to the incident be preserved and made available to the committee.
Tunji-Ojo warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
The committee is chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General, Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, will serve as Secretary.
Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, a 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; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.
The committee may engage additional experts, inspect relevant locations, access necessary documents and facilities, and receive memoranda from members of the public as part of its assignment.
It has been given two weeks to complete the investigation and submit its report to the Minister.
Tunji-Ojo expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.
