 |
| Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps |
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has suspended three additional personnel and publicly paraded its suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, along with other officers linked to the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the Corps’ custody.
The latest suspensions bring the total number of NSCDC personnel under suspension or detention in connection with the incident to 24. Earlier, 21 officers and men had been suspended and summoned to the national headquarters. On Sunday, the suspended personnel were paraded at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Sauka, Abuja. Corps spokesperson Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi briefed journalists on preliminary findings and the Corps’ response.
RELATED:➣
Background to the Arrests and Deaths
The detainees were among those arrested during NSCDC anti-illegal mining operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on 15 and 16 September. They died on Thursday (reported as 17 September), days after their arrest. The NSCDC initially pointed to a suspected disease outbreak as a possible cause, but stated that the exact cause of death has not yet been established and would be determined through medical examination.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed that 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners had been detained at an NSCDC facility, of whom 37 died. He noted that investigators were examining possibilities including overcrowding leading to suffocation and exposure to hazardous substances. Survivors and relatives have raised concerns about alleged overcrowding and poor detention conditions. Some reports have also noted that certain detainees may have been minors; human rights groups have highlighted this in calls for thorough investigation.
⇢ JOIN US ON OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL ⇠
Official Response and Investigations
In response, NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Abubakar Audi ordered the Corps’ flag to be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days as an expression of institutional remorse and disapproval of the incident. He pledged that any wrongdoing within the service would be addressed and that all suspended personnel would be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other panels for questioning and possible prosecution.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths. Its mandate includes establishing the identities of the deceased, examining the circumstances of their arrest and detention, and determining the cause and circumstances of the deaths. The committee has two weeks to complete its work. This followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent, and unhindered investigation.
The NSCDC has also set up an internal investigative team to review the condition of the detainees at the time of arrest, their period in custody, detention conditions, and any medical attention received. Commandant General Audi reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to transparency, human rights protection, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law, while promising continued public updates.
CONTINUE READING:➢ Lagos Mechanic Reported Missing After Being Lured for Car Repair Job in Ibeju-Lekki
Public Reaction
The deaths prompted protests in Minna, the Niger State capital. Authorities imposed a curfew after clashes between protesters and security personnel. Amnesty International and other groups have called for an independent investigation, with particular attention to reports that some of those detained were minors.
Broader Context
Illegal (artisanal) mining remains a significant challenge in parts of Nigeria, including Niger State, involving environmental damage, loss of government revenue, and security concerns. The NSCDC plays a key role in enforcement operations against such activities. At the same time, the incident has drawn attention to standards of detention, the treatment of persons in custody, and accountability mechanisms within security agencies. Ongoing official investigations—both internal and independent—are expected to clarify the sequence of events, the cause of death, and any individual or systemic responsibility. Outcomes may include further disciplinary measures, prosecutions, or recommendations for improved practices.
The situation continues to develop. Officials have stressed that the sanctity of human life and adherence to legal and human-rights standards must guide enforcement actions.
Post a Comment