The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the corps’ custody in Niger State and deployed a new commandant to take charge of the state command.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the suspension on Saturday, while the newly deployed State Commandant of the NSCDC, Niger State Command, Abdulhamid Kabara, assumed duty, taking over from Suberu Aniviye, who was suspended in connection with the incident.

The developments followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent, and unhindered investigation into the deaths, which occurred on Thursday.

The incident has generated public concern and anger in the state, with residents staging a protest that prompted Niger State Governor Umaru Bago to declare a 24-hour curfew in Minna, the state capital.

According to a statement signed by Tunji-Ojo, the 20 suspended officers include O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed; Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis; Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino; HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi; O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; and Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale.

Others are Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada; Guard Duty, CAI Liman Abubakar; Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman; Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya; Guard Duty, DSC Isah Suleiman; Guard Duty, CAI Ahmed Wushishi; Guard Duty, IC Sale Adamu; Guard Duty, IC Haruna Mohammed; Guard Duty, ASCI Aliyu Sallah; and Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi.

Tunji-Ojo also constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of the suspected illegal miners.

The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The Minister said the committee was expected to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrests and detention, as well as the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

It is also expected to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence, and misconduct, and recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.

Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee. He also ordered that all records and material evidence connected with the incident be preserved and made available to the investigators.

“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses, or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.

The deaths have also raised questions about the conditions under which the suspected illegal miners were held.

One of the survivors alleged that the suspects were kept in a small room, where an unpleasant substance was sprayed before the cell was locked.

President Tinubu had earlier ordered a full and transparent investigation, saying the government would not tolerate mass deaths arising from official negligence, dereliction of duty, or failure by public officials to protect the lives placed under their care.

New commandant assumes duty

Amid the fallout from the incident, Kabara assumed office as the new Niger State commandant of the NSCDC.

He took over from Aniviye, whose suspension was linked to the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners in the corps’ custody.

Kabara’s assumption of office comes at a time of heightened public concern over the incident and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

In his first remarks after assuming duty, Kabara said he was saddened by the loss of lives and commiserated with the families of the deceased and all those affected by the incident.

He said that while the corps remained committed to its statutory responsibilities of arrest, investigation, enforcement, and combating illegal mining, the sanctity of human life must remain paramount.

Kabara stressed that the responsibility of enforcing the law and protecting society must go hand in hand with ensuring the dignity, safety, and welfare of persons in custody.

“At a moment like this, beyond arrests, investigations, enforcement, and the fight against illegal mining, we must remember one fundamental truth: every human life matters,” he said.

“The loss of any human life is painful, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families who are mourning at this difficult time.”

He assured the public that the corps would continue to carry out its duties within the framework of the law while upholding the rights and welfare of persons in its custody.

The commandant also prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive the shortcomings of the deceased, grant them eternal rest, and give their families, relatives, and loved ones the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Federal Government’s investigation is expected to provide a clearer account of what happened to the suspected illegal miners while they were in custody and establish whether negligence, misconduct, or other factors contributed to their deaths.