The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained three additional personnel over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in its custody in Niger State, bringing the number of officers held over the incident to 24.
NSCDC spokesman, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, said on Sunday that the three officers had been suspended and moved to the Corps’ national headquarters in Abuja alongside other personnel linked to the incident.
The affected officers are being interrogated and subjected to administrative disciplinary proceedings. Afolabi said they would also be made available to the 10-member presidential investigative committee and other panels examining the deaths.
The development followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatalities. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the independent committee on Saturday and ordered the suspension of officers allegedly connected to the incident.
The 37 suspected miners were arrested during operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16 and were found dead in an NSCDC detention facility on September 17.
The NSCDC had initially placed 21 personnel in custody before the latest three were identified and suspended.
Commandant General Ahmed Audi said the Corps would cooperate with the investigation and ensure that personnel found culpable faced disciplinary measures and possible prosecution.
“As a Corps built on integrity, professionalism, discipline, and absolute respect for the rule of law, 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,” Audi said.
The NSCDC has also ordered its flag to be flown at half-mast across its formations for three days beginning Sunday in mourning for the deceased.
The incident has triggered calls from civil society groups, lawyers and representatives of the mining community for an independent determination of how the deaths occurred and who should be held responsible.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, urged the Niger State Attorney-General, Nasiru Mu’azu, to ensure a prompt investigation and prosecution of anyone indicted by the inquiry.
Falana said the deaths should also prompt wider attention to detention conditions, including overcrowding, ventilation and compliance with minimum standards for the humane treatment of detainees.
The League of Northern Democrats similarly demanded an unhindered investigation covering the victims’ arrest, detention, treatment and deaths. The group said allegations concerning overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, medical negligence or misconduct should be established through evidence rather than assumptions.
The North-Central Indigenous Youth Council also called for forensic autopsies and prosecution of any officers found culpable. Its chairman, Dr J.M. Abbah, said the deaths raised concerns about custodial standards and human rights.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Civil Societies for Transparency and Accountability urged Nigerians to allow the ongoing investigation to establish the facts before drawing conclusions or demanding specific dismissals.
The National President of the National Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Cooperative Society, Abdullahi Dantasidi, also expressed concern over the deaths, calling for measures to protect the welfare and security of artisanal miners.
He said the mining community was deeply affected by the incident and argued that artisanal miners play an important role in the development of Nigeria’s mining sector.
The federal investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether any individuals or institutions should face disciplinary or criminal proceedings.
NSCDC Detains Three More Personnel Over Deaths of 37 Miners
