THE Federal Government has released the full list of additional 20 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officers suspended over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the corps’ custody in Minna, Niger State.
A statement by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Saturday, September 19, noted that the government had also constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths following President Bola Tinubu’s directive that those responsible should face prosecution where evidence establishes criminal liability.
The victims died on Thursday, September 17, after they were arrested during enforcement operations against illegal mining around the Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna.
The NSCDC had said the detainees died following a suspected disease outbreak, but the deaths triggered protests in Minna, with the deceased’s relatives and residents demanding an explanation over the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
In a statement on Friday, September 18, Tinubu ordered a full and transparent investigation into the incident, saying the fact that the victims were suspected of illegal mining did not remove their right to life and humane treatment while in government custody.
The president said the suspension of officers should not replace the determination of criminal responsibility and directed that any official whose actions, abuse or negligence contributed to the deaths should be arrested and prosecuted.
Following the directive, Tunji-Ojo announced on Saturday that the government had constituted an independent committee to investigate the incident and suspended 20 officers, in addition to the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye.
The suspended officers are: SC Usman Isah Ndamaka – Officer-in-Charge, Station Guard; ASCI Hassan Mohammed – Station Guard; CCA Bala Mohammed – Station Guard; CSC Oluwadare Sunday – Arresting Officer/Officer-in-Charge, Investigation; DCC Obafemi Elvis – Arresting Officer; CSC Annas Shitto Lamino – Arresting Officer; DCC Philip Ajayi – Head, Intelligence/Investigation; ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado – Officer-in-Charge, Legal; and ASCI Alhassan Mohammed – Day/Night Duty Officer.
Others are IC Abdullahi Sale – Guard Duty; IC Mohammed Sonfada – Guard Duty; CAI Liman Abubakar – Guard Duty; and 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; and CAI Isah Sanusi – Guard Duty.
The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the State Security Services, while Isa Hayatu Chiroma, a former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, will serve as secretary.
ICIR
