20 NSCDC officers suspended over deaths of detained suspected illegal miners

The federal government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in connection with the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in the corps’ custody in Niger State.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the suspension on Saturday, alongside the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye.

The officers are suspended pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the deaths.

The affected officers include those responsible for station guard duties, arrests and investigation, intelligence, legal services, day/night duty and custody.

They include SC Usman Isah Ndamaka, ASCI Hassan Mohammed, CCA Bala Mohammed, CSC Oluwadare Sunday, DCC Obafemi Elvis, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino, DCC Philip Ajayi, ACC Barrister Stephen Tsado, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed, IC Abdullahi Sale, IC Mohammed Sonfada, CAI Liman Abubakar and CAI Bala Usman.

Others are IC Mohammed Jiya, DSC Isah Suleiman, CAI Ahmed Wushishi, IC Sale Adamu, IC Haruna Mohammed, ASCI Aliyu Sallah and CAI Isah Sanusi.

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The suspension also affects the state commandant, Mr Aniviye.

The affected officers include personnel assigned to station guard, arrest and investigation, intelligence, legal, day and night duty and other custodial responsibilities.

The federal government has also ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths to establish the cause of death and determine whether there was negligence or misconduct.

The development follows a national outrage over the deaths, with authorities appealing for calm as investigations continue.