A recent operation conducted by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State has sparked controversy, with 37 detainees dying in custody. The operation, which took place on September 15 and 16, targeted suspected illegal miners in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas. Sources within the Niger State Command revealed that the operation was largely carried out by regular NSCDC personnel, despite the existence of a specialised unit trained for anti-illegal-mining operations.
The specialised unit, known as the Mining Marshals, was allegedly excluded from the operation. Commandant Jibrin Mohammed, commander of the Mining Marshals, had received a formal commendation from the then Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, just three weeks prior to the operation. Aniviye praised Mohammed for his exceptional working relationship with his personnel, dedication, and hard work. However, sources alleged that Mohammed and the Mining Marshals were not involved in the operation, and that Mohammed was not adequately briefed about the planned raid, arrests, or subsequent detention of the suspects.
The alleged exclusion of the Mining Marshals has raised questions about internal disagreements within the NSCDC command. A source claimed that Mohammed had become unpopular with some senior officers due to his uncompromising approach to illegal-mining enforcement. However, the Daily Post could not independently verify this allegation. The Mining Marshals are a specialised operational component of the NSCDC's efforts to combat illegal mining and protect Nigeria's mineral resources.
According to Muhammad S. Mabo, Director-General of the Niger State-owned Zuma Mineral Exploration and Mining Company, the Mining Marshals are the operational unit relied upon for enforcement against illegal mining. Mabo expressed surprise that the specialised unit was allegedly sidelined during the Niger operation. He noted that the regular operatives and Mining Marshals are both answerable to the Commandant-General, but questioned why the specialised personnel were allegedly excluded from the operation.
The detention arrangements for the suspects have come under scrutiny, with survivors alleging overcrowding, severe heat, and difficulty breathing inside the cell. Some survivors also claimed that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside the cell shortly before the deaths. These claims remain subject to investigation, and no definitive public finding on the cause of death has been established.
The Federal Government has suspended Aniviye and 20 other officers pending investigations into the deaths. Authorities are examining the identities of the deceased, their arrests and detention, and the circumstances and cause of their deaths. The alleged sidelining of the Mining Marshals has not been established as a cause of the deaths, but it adds a new question to the investigation.
The incident has sparked concerns about the effectiveness and accountability of the NSCDC in conducting operations. The investigation into the deaths is ongoing, and it remains to be seen whether the alleged exclusion of the Mining Marshals will be established as a contributing factor. The incident has also raised questions about the need for greater transparency and oversight in the conduct of security operations.
Key points
- The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps operation in Niger State resulted in 37 deaths in custody.
- The Mining Marshals, a specialised unit trained for anti-illegal-mining operations, were allegedly excluded from the operation.
- The Federal Government has suspended several NSCDC officers pending investigations into the deaths.
