By Kazeem Waris
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained 24 personnel over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State, including the suspended state Commandant, Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye.
The affected officers were paraded at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja on Sunday as the Corps ordered its flag flown at half-mast across all commands and formations for three days in mourning.
NSCDC Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said the investigation would be guided by due process, transparency and accountability, stressing that personnel found culpable would face internal disciplinary action and prosecution under the law.
The Corps Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, said three additional personnel had been identified and suspended, raising the number of officers under investigation from the initial 21 to 24.
He said all 24 personnel had been taken into protective custody at the Corps headquarters in Abuja since September 17, where they were undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary proceedings.
According to Afolabi, the officers would be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other panels investigating the deaths.
He said the decision followed a joint operation involving the Commandant General’s Special Investigation Squad, which was set up to probe the incident.
The NSCDC spokesman said the three-day half-mast order, beginning Sunday, September 20, was intended to reflect the Corps’ grief and institutional remorse, while underscoring its determination to address misconduct within its ranks.
“We do not condone unprofessional conduct, high-handedness, or any action that undermines the fundamental rights of citizens or the sacred trust reposed in us,” Afolabi said.
The 24 personnel named by the Corps are Aniviye; DCC Ajayi Philips, Head of Intelligence and Investigation; DCC John Agrahau Chagwa, Head of Operations; DCC Obafemi Elvis; ACC Stephen Tsado, Officer in Charge of Legal; CSC Oluwadare Sunday; CSC Annas Shittu Lamino; SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; DSC Aminu Sule Garba; DSC Musa Marafa; DSC Isah Sulaiman; ASCI Hassan Muhammad; ASCI Alhassan Muhammad; Aliyu Sallah, on guard duty; IC Abdullahi Sale; IC Mohammed N. Sonfada; Mohammed Jiya; Sale Adamu; Haruna Muhammed; CCA Baba Muhamma; CAI Isah Sanusi; CAI Liman Abubakar; CAI Bala Usman; and CAI Ahmed Wushishi.
The Corps attributed the inclusion of DCC Philips and DCC Chagwa to alleged “lack of supervision” in their respective departments.
The 37 suspected illegal miners died days after they were arrested during NSCDC anti-illegal mining operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The NSCDC had initially linked the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, saying medical examinations would determine the actual cause of death.
The Corps said it would continue to update the public on the outcome of the investigation and reaffirmed its commitment to human rights, professional ethics and accountability.
