The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in connection with the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the corps’ custody in Niger State.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the suspension on Saturday, stating that the affected officers would remain suspended pending the conclusion of investigations into the incident.
The development followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the deaths, which occurred on Thursday.
According to a statement issued by the Minister of Interior, the suspended officers are:
- SC Usman Isah Ndamaka – O/C Station Guard
- ASCI Hassan Mohammed – Station Guard
- CCA Bala Mohammed – Station Guard
- CSC Oluwadare Sunday – Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation
- DCC Obafemi Elvis – Arresting Officer
- CSC Annas Shitto Lamino – Arresting Officer
- DCC Philip Ajayi – HOD INT/INV
- ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado – O/C Legal
- ASCI Alhassan Mohammed – Day/Night Duty Officer
- IC Abdullahi Sale – Guard Duty
- IC Mohammed Sonfada – Guard Duty
- CAI Liman Abubakar – Guard Duty
- CAI Bala Usman – Guard Duty
- IC Mohammed Jiya – Guard Duty
- DSC Isah Suleiman – Guard Duty
- CAI Ahmed Wushishi – Guard Duty
- IC Sale Adamu – Guard Duty
- IC Haruna Mohammed – Guard Duty
- ASCI Aliyu Sallah – Guard Duty
- CAI Isah Sanusi – Guard Duty
The suspension is part of measures by the Federal Government to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether any officials were responsible for misconduct or negligence.
The investigation is expected to establish what happened while the suspected miners were in NSCDC custody and provide recommendations based on its findings.
