Federal government has suspended 20 additional officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and formed an independent probe into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners held in custody in Minna, Niger State.
The deaths occurred on Thursday after the suspects were arrested during operations against illegal mining near the Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate. The NSCDC initially attributed the fatalities to a suspected disease outbreak, prompting protests by relatives and residents demanding accountability.
President Bola Tinubu ordered a full and transparent investigation, stating that suspicion of illegal mining did not remove the victims’ right to life and humane treatment while in government custody. He directed that any official whose actions, abuse or negligence contributed to the deaths should be arrested and prosecuted.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the suspensions on Saturday, including that of Niger State NSCDC Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye. The additional officers include personnel involved in station guard duties, arrests, investigations and legal oversight.
Tunji-Ojo also constituted a 10-member independent committee chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired deputy director-general of the State Security Service, with former Nigeria Law School director-general Isa Hayatu Chiroma as secretary. Other members include security, medical, legal, mining industry and civil society representatives.
The committee has two weeks to establish the identities of the deceased, investigate the circumstances of their arrests, detention and deaths, determine responsibility or negligence, and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” Tunji-Ojo warned, directing full cooperation from NSCDC leadership and preservation of all related records.
