The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has taken 24 of its personnel into custody for their alleged roles in the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State. According to the NSCDC's Public Relations Officer, ACC Babawale Afolabi, the detained personnel include the suspended state commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and other officers and men of the Niger State Command. They are facing disciplinary action and possible prosecution over the incident.
The miners, including teenagers, were arrested by NSCDC operatives on September 15 and 16 over allegations of illegal mining. However, they died in custody, reportedly due to a suspected disease outbreak. The incident sparked widespread outrage, prompting the Federal Government and other groups to call for an independent investigation. The NSCDC has since ordered an investigation and taken the detained personnel into protective custody at the National Headquarters in Abuja.
The NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has ordered that the NSCDC flag be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days to signal collective mourning and a commitment to purging the system of bad eggs. Audi emphasized that the Corps does not condone unprofessional conduct, high-handedness, or actions that undermine fundamental rights or the rule of law. The NSCDC has pledged to keep the public informed about the outcome of the investigation.
The Niger State Government has also launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago reported that survivors alleged overcrowding, poor ventilation, and the spraying of an unidentified substance in the detention cell. Some survivors claimed that the substance, possibly tear gas or a chemical, caused people to cough and choke. The governor said he visited the detention facility and the General Hospital in Minna, where the bodies were taken.
Governor Bago said 37 people died in custody, with some showing signs of peeling skin, swelling, foam coming out of their mouths, or bleeding from their noses and mouths. He said doctors were brought in, samples collected, and autopsies conducted to determine the cause of death. The governor raised questions about the number of people arrested and the handling of the situation by the NSCDC.
Several committees have been set up to investigate the incident, including panels involving the police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the state government. The Inspector-General of Police and the Minister of Interior have also inaugurated separate committees. Personnel working at the facility, except the head, have been suspended to prevent interference with the investigation.
The NSCDC has released the names of the officers held in custody, including Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye, DCC Ajayi Philips, and 21 others. The Corps has promised to continue to keep the public updated on the investigation's outcome and has reiterated its commitment to transparency, human rights protection, and professional ethics.
Key points
- - 24 NSCDC personnel detained over miners' deaths - Investigation launched into circumstances surrounding deaths - NSCDC pledges commitment to transparency and human rights protection
