The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded its suspended Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and other officers linked to the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in its custody.
The officers were paraded at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Sauka, Abuja, on Sunday, as the Corps’ spokesperson, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, briefed journalists on preliminary findings into the incident.
The 37 detainees d+ed on September 17, days after they were arrested during anti-illegal mining operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State.
The NSCDC initially attributed the de@ths to a suspected disease outbreak, saying medical examinations would determine the actual cause. However, survivors and relatives have raised concerns over alleged overcrowding and poor detention conditions.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, said 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners had been detained before 37 d+ed. Possible s¥ffocation caused by overcrowding and exposure to hazardous substances are among the issues being considered, although the official cause of de@th remains under investigation.
The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant and other officers pending the outcome of an independent probe. A 10 member committee was also constituted by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji Ojo to investigate the identities of the deceased, their arrest and detention, and the cause and circumstances of their de@ths.
The development followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
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