The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained 24 of its personnel over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State.
The officers include the suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye, and 23 other personnel. They were paraded at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja on Sunday.
The Corps said the number of personnel under investigation had increased from 21 to 24 after three additional officers were identified and suspended.
NSCDC spokesman, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, said all the affected officers and men from the Niger State Command had been taken into protective custody at the Corps headquarters since September 17.
He said they were being questioned and subjected to administrative disciplinary procedures ahead of further investigations by the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other panels.
The spokesman said the NSCDC Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had ordered the Corps’ flag to be flown at half-mast in all commands and formations for three days from Sunday, September 20, as a mark of mourning.
The Corps said the move was also intended to show its disapproval of the incident and its determination to remove personnel found guilty of misconduct.
Afolabi quoted the Corps as saying, “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.”
The NSCDC said the Commandant General had directed that due process, transparency and accountability must guide the investigation. It added that any officer found responsible would face disciplinary action and prosecution where necessary.
The Corps also linked the inclusion of DCC Ajayi Philips, Head of Intelligence and Investigation, and DCC John Agrahau Chagwa, Head of Operations, to “lack of supervision” in their respective departments.
The 37 miners died days after they were arrested during anti-illegal mining operations carried out by the NSCDC in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The NSCDC had initially said the deaths might have been caused by a suspected disease outbreak, adding that medical examinations would determine the actual cause of death.
The Corps said it would continue to inform the public about the outcome of the investigation.
NSCDC detains, parades 24 personnel over deaths of 37 illegal miners in Niger