The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody in Niger State.
The suspension takes effect pending the conclusion of an independent investigation into the incident, which occurred.
The move follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the deaths.
In a statement, Tunji-Ojo said the government owed the families of the deceased and Nigerians a transparent account of what happened.
The suspended officers include station guards, arresting officers, investigators, legal officers and duty officers involved in the handling of the suspects.
The minister also inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma, serves as secretary.
Other members include Prof Olayinka Buhari, a professor of histopathology; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint newspaper journalist Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi.
The committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrest, detention, and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
It will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where necessary.
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the investigation.
He also ordered the preservation and release of all records and material evidence connected to the incident.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.
The committee may co-opt experts, access relevant facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and receive memoranda from members of the public.
It has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the minister.
Tunji-Ojo described the deaths as “deeply disturbing” and appealed for calm while extending his condolences to the families of the deceased.
